Canadiens Defender Calls Out Senators Captain

The next meeting between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators could be explosive.

Jan 19, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) reacts by raising his fist in the air after a fight with New York Rangers center Matt Rempe (73) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj and Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk are far from friendly. Two old-school agitators who love to throw fists, the pair have become acquainted over the past few seasons. Their most recent dustup came during the preseason, when Xhekaj delivered a booming body check on Senators star Tim Stützle, drawing a huge reaction from Tkachuk.

As the NHL fates would have it, the Canadiens and Senators meet when their teams return to action following the 4 Nations. In anticipation of another heavyweight tilt, Xhekaj spoke with TVA Sports writer Nicolas Cloutier about his rivalry with the Sens' captain. He pointed out that they play a similar style, and that's what often creates friction between them. His quotes are originally given in French and translated by Cloutier.

"I butt heads with him," Xhekaj said. "I go right at him. I fire him up. I don’t care.”

With the Canadiens and Sens both playing for the 2025 playoff hopes, Xhekaj and Tkachuk have to carefully consider their actions. Their respective physicality is a difference-maker in a divisional matchup like this, but the goal is to make their lives harder without costing your own team.

“I’ll go hard every shift I have with him," he said. "And try to make his life... try to make him have a tough night...Just bring it to him harder than he brings it to me."

Steve, the quotes you are using are not accurate and got lost in translation through Google Translate. Please correct them immediatly.

His actual words were :

“I butt heads with him. I go right at him. I fire him up. I don’t care.”

“I’ll go hard every shift I have with him… https://t.co/LM4jFzltZC

— Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) February 22, 2025

The bad news for Xhekaj is that he won't get the chance to battle against Tkachuk in their upcoming contest. The team captain is expected to miss the Sens' first game back after Brady played a violent few games for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The injury is not serious, reports Elliotte Friedman, and the team is considering Tkachuk "day-to-day."

Hearing Brady Tkachuk will not play tonight for Ottawa. The good news: the Senators are not worried it is anything serious, more of a day-to-day thing.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 22, 2025

Tkachuk's absence is a huge loss for the Sens, and it is also a missed opportunity for Xhekaj to get a leg up on the Senators captain. Now, the Habs defender must focus solely on playing the game and getting under the skin of another Ottawa player. He'll have to wait a bit longer to butt heads again with Tkachuk.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

• Kings Announce Rosters for LA Strong Charity Game
• Multiple Stars Return to Penguins Lineup
• Kraken Captain Returns After Rare Injury
• Jets Sign Forward to Two-Year Extension
• Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk Out After 4 Nations Face-Off