NHL Department of Player Safety reaches decision on Arber Xhekaj hit
The NHL Department of Player Safety has reached a decision on Arber Xhekaj hit on Tim Stutzle
For the second time in this preseason Montreal Canadiens defender Arber Xhekaj found himself under the magnifying glass. After receiving a fine from the department of player safety for his roughing of Cedric Pare, Xhekaj find himself once again in hot water.
On Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Ottawa Senators in a divisional preseason matchup. The bad blood between the two teams once again boiled over after multiple questionable hits. During the second period, Xhekaj was ejected for the second time of the preseason. This after catching Tim Stutzle with a late hit after he crossed the blue line.
Stutzle would leave the game and not return. This is just another in a string of preseason injuries to high profile players. While many wondered if the Canadiens' defender would face supplemental discipline, word surfaced early this morning that George Parros had already made his decision.
Xhekaj has a history of crossing the line. However on this play it does appear most of the damage is done by Stutzle's own stick. This does not happen without the hit from Xhekaj, which was clearly late. The NHL will have to make a decision and is hopefully not setting a dangerous precedent as they head into this year.
The biggest question remains how the department of player safety can continue to be so inconsistent on its calls. If this is the standard, hopefully it remains a standard for the entire season but if previous history is any indication it will not.
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