Florian Xhekaj’s first game in the NHL did not get off to a great start.
The 21-year-old went on the ice alone for the traditional rookie lap to start the pre-game warmup with no helmet, picked up a puck just outside the blue line and proceeded to hit the post with his first shot on an empty net.
“I don’t think I even raised the puck,” Xhekaj said after the game. “I don’t even know (if it hit the post). I was just trying to not fall out there. But my second shot was pretty good. The first one, I don’t think it came off the ice.”
Xhekaj’s older brother and now teammate Arber chuckled after the game when asked about the first shot of the rookie lap.
“I heard he went muffin along the ice,” the 24-year-old Arber said with a chuckle. “That’s the one thing you can’t do. He went muffin. But that’s all right … he’ll see that forever.”
The game ended much better for Florian and the Canadiens, who beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 to end a five-game losing streak (0-4-1). Florian came within a goal of getting a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (a goal, an assist and a fight), logging 9:48 of ice time while playing on the third line with Jake Evans and Josh Anderson. Along with his assist and fight, Florian had two shots, three hits and blocked a shot.
More importantly, Florian gave the Canadiens a much-needed spark, ending his night by dropping the gloves and putting a beating on the Maple Leafs’ Dakota Mermis with less than five minutes left in the third period.
“Energy and passion,” veteran defenceman Mike Matheson said when asked what Florian brought to the team. “That was great to see. I think we needed that. I think we needed a little bit of a boost and he definitely brought that to the table.”
Florian impressed Anderson and it won’t be fun for opposing defencemen when those two wingers are on the ice together. Florian is listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, while Anderson is 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds.
“His forecheck, you saw early he was on the hunt trying to finish as many checks as he can,” Anderson said. “Big presence. Enjoyed the moment playing with him in his first NHL game.
“I’ve always loved Flo’s game,” Anderson added. “He plays simple, he plays hard, he’s not scared of anybody on the ice. When you have a guy that plays the game simple, it’s kind of easy to play along with him and also bring the heat and bring the energy like we did tonight. Playing with Flo, that’s going to be our job, trying to get momentum, putting pressure on the D as much as we can so they don’t want to go back for pucks, and if we get there first, then we can create some O-zone time from there.”
The Xhekaj brothers have been living together downtown since last season, when Florian posted 24-11-35 totals and a league-leading 175 penalty minutes as an AHL rookie. Florian had 2-2-4 totals and 44 penalty minutes in 16 games with the Rocket this season before getting called up by the Canadiens.
The brothers made the short drive together from their condo to the Bell Centre Saturday night.
“I told him to crank the tunes up and let’s get going here,” Arber said. “This is his night. It was just special.”
What was the tune — since they only had time to listen to one?
“Some kind of dad rock,” Arber said with a chuckle. “It was pretty good.”
The Canadiens posted a great video online of the two brothers walking from the Bell Centre parking lot to the locker room, looking like two guys you don’t want to mess with. Florian was dressed in a tailored blue suit, while Arber was wearing black slacks and a black turtleneck, along with a grey overcoat and matching ascot cap.
“It’s special to have him by my side,” Florian said. “He’s always been the best brother I could ask for.”
The brothers’ parents and their two sisters were in attendance at the Bell Centre, making the trip from their home in Hamilton.
“Not many guys can say they played their first NHL game at the Bell Centre against the Leafs, first of all, and then to have my brother here with me, it’s truly special,” Florian said. “And for my dad and my mom to be here, there’s nothing more I could ask for.”
Following the game, Arber looked even happier than Florian after watching his little brother make his NHL debut and end it by winning a fight and then throwing up his hands to fire up the crowd while headed to the penalty box. Arber then led a line of teammates to the penalty box to congratulate Florian.
“I couldn’t stop banging my stick,” Arber said. “I was yelling at him: ‘Show the crowd some love! Show the crowd some love!
“He fired them up and it was perfect,” Arber added. “It was awesome!”
It was also a much-needed win by the Canadiens.
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