Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj sent shockwaves through the hockey community with his bold proclamation aimed at Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk just days before their highly anticipated matchup. Known for his hard-hitting style, Xhekaj doesn't shy away from physical confrontations and made it abundantly clear he plans to target Tkachuk when the teams clash at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Following the emotional rollercoaster of the 4 Nations Face-Off, where Tkachuk played a pivotal role for Team USA, the Senators’ captain is riding the wave of motivation from the tournament's outcome. After suffering a painful 3-2 overtime loss to Canada, Tkachuk expressed his determination to channel this disappointment as fuel for future competitions, particularly eyeing the 2026 Olympics where he aims to exact revenge on Team Canada. “This sucks. I thought this team deserved more,” Tkachuk lamented. “I know for myself personally, it’s going to be a goal of mine for the next year. I’ll always keep this feeling in mind.”
Despite Tkachuk's shining performance—scoring three goals during the tournament—Xhekaj seems undeterred. After practice on Friday, he fired up by talking about his intentions. “I’m going straight to him. I’m going to crunch him. I don’t care,” Xhekaj told TVA Sports' Nicolas Cloutier. “I want to make his life miserable. I want his evening to be painful.”
On the injury front, Tkachuk's status is somewhat murky. He suffered an unspecified injury during the tournaments against Sweden but managed to play on Thursday. Missing practice on Friday raised concerns about his availability for the Saturday showdown. Senators' head coach Travis Green was cautious when addressing Tkachuk's status, noting, “Every player is different and every team is in a different spot. I hope they’d be ready to play some pretty big games.” This leaves fans eagerly awaiting updates as game time approaches.
If Tkachuk is fit to play, he can expect Xhekaj to deliver the kind of aggressive play he suggested. Both players come from backgrounds where they’ve built reputations for toughness and fighting spirit. Each stands at 6'4”, and Xhekaj holds the advantage at 240 pounds compared to Tkachuk’s 225. The anticipation of seeing these two heavyweights face off is building among fans and commentators alike.
Historically, Xhekaj and Tkachuk have tangled on the ice before. Their rivalry deepened during last year's preseason when Tkachuk jumped Xhekaj following what he deemed to be a questionable hit on Tim Stutzle. The confrontation earned Xhekaj a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. “I’ll go hard every shift I have with him and try to make his life miserable,” Xhekaj declared confidently, emphasizing his readiness for any scenario.
The stakes are high for both players as they meet on this occasion, especially with the Canadiens and Senators sharing a heated rivalry. Previously, on October 12, 2024, the teams met where the Canadiens walked away with a 4-1 victory. With both players leading the league’s penalty minutes — Xhekaj ranking within the top five — fans can anticipate fireworks if both take the ice.
The Canadiens have their own goals as well, seeking to improve their standings with strong performances from their enforcers, such as Xhekaj. The game is set for Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST, and all eyes will be peeled for fireworks on the ice.
While the battle lines are drawn, the anticipation remains whether Tkachuk will step onto the ice ready to face Xhekaj, or if the Canadiens' defenseman will have to settle for taunting the Senators captain from the sidelines.