Arber Xhekaj scratched vs. Utah, Adam Engstrom set to make his NHL debut
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
We have a last-minute surprise with the Montreal Canadiens as Martin St-Louis shakes up his defensive lines for tonight's game against Utah.
While everything indicated that there would absolutely be no change to the lineup, and that Alexandre Texier and Adam Engstrom were going to be left out (they were practicing as extra players), we now have a twist.
Arber Xhekaj is removed from the Montreal Canadiens' lineup, replaced by young Adam Engstrom
See the various official confirmations here, but this is a big surprise!
"The Canadiens announce Adam Engstrom is in for Arber Xhekaj tonight to make his NHL debut."
- Marco D'Amico
- Marco D'Amico
Even the Canadiens hinted at this on Tuesday in an official release.
"Martin St-Louis did not announce his lineup for Wednesday in Utah, but he rarely changes a winning formula."
- Montreal Canadiens
- Montreal Canadiens
Well, he is finally changing his winning formula, against all expectations.
Do you like this decision, to remove Arber Xhekaj in favor of Adam Engstrom?
It's something to say that there will be only one Xhekaj in the Montreal Canadiens lineup for Wednesday night's game, and that this Xhekaj will not be named Arber.
Arber Xhekaj, age 24, is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defenseman who has 1 point in 20 games this season, with a -4 rating and 40 penalty minutes.
Adam Engstrom, age 22, is a left-shot defenseman, 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, who is a third-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2022.
He has 14 points in 18 games this season with the Laval Rocket, with a +8 rating.
More details to come.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 26 | 1489 ANSWERS Arber Xhekaj scratched vs. Utah, Adam Engstrom set to make his NHL debut Do you like the decision to scratch Xhekaj in favour of Engstrom? | ||
| Yes, good move | 388 | 26.1 % |
| No | 1101 | 73.9 % |
| List of polls | ||