Sports
Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj out, Jayden Struble in for Game 1 vs. Hurricanes
The Montreal Canadiens are making a slight adjustment on the blue line for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Depth defenceman Arber Xhekaj will not play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, replaced by third-year blue-liner Jayden Struble in the lineup.
Xhekaj, 25, has played all but one playoff game for the Canadiens so far, recording one goal and one assist in 13 games, while registering an 8:06 average time on ice.
Struble last played in Round 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In seven post-season games this spring, the 24-year-old has yet to record a point.
The Canadiens look to hand the Hurricanes their first loss of these Stanley Cup Playoffs as they open the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday. Watch live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
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