Canadiens scratch Arber Xhekaj and confirm multiple lineup changes for Penguins game
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Following the confirmation of Jacob Fowler's first career start, Martin St-Louis immediately made three more announcements.
Three players have been demoted and have lost their spots.
First, St-Louis seems to have changed his mind regarding Arber Xhekaj. The Sheriff was practicing as a regular player during Wednesday morning's practice (Adam Engstrom was the extra defenseman), but today we got a surprise.
The plan seems to have changed: Adam Engstrom is inserted into the lineup and Arber Xhekaj is headed to the press box.
Three players received bad news today
First, there is obviously Arber Xhekaj.
"Adam Engstrom will be in the lineup against the Penguins. Arber Xhekaj will not be in uniform"
- Montreal Canadiens
- Montreal Canadiens
Second, there is Jakub Dobes, who goes from "number-one goaltender" of the Montreal Canadiens to number three, as he will be in the press box tonight in Pittsburgh. Ouch. Meanwhile, Fowler will get the start in his NHL debut.
"Montembeault is the backup and Dobes on the press gallery."
- Karine Hains, The Hockey News
- Karine Hains, The Hockey News
"Confirmed: Samuel Montembeault will be the goaltender backing up Fowler tonight." - Anthony Martineau
Lastly, there is Juraj Slafkovsky, who has lost his spot on the Canadiens' top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, replaced by Zachary Bolduc. We should also mention Ivan Demidov, who has been moved down to the second power-play unit (also in favor of Zachary Bolduc).
Let's just say these changes are not universally approved:
"Yeah makes sense, Xhekaj got walked and was -2.
Oh wait... that was Struble." - HFTV
Oh wait... that was Struble." - HFTV
What are your thoughts on these changes?
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11|1289 ANSWERS Canadiens scratch Arber Xhekaj and confirm multiple lineup changes for Penguins game Which one do you think was supposed to be sent to the press box? | ||
| Adam Engstrom | 129 | 10 % |
| Arber Xhekaj | 319 | 24.7 % |
| Jayden Struble | 841 | 65.2 % |
| List of polls | ||