Arber Xhekaj's Actions Towards Ryan Reaves May Have Been the Catalyst in Leafs' Comeback Win
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro - USA Today Sports
Head coach Craig Berube brought Reaves back into the lineup after he was made a healthy scratch during
their 4-3 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils. In what was expected to be a spirited bout between two bitter rivals, the added physicality that Reaves brings to the table was believed to be a necessary requirement.
The Canadiens stormed out to a quick 3-0 lead before the first period even came to a close. Looking for a spark, Reaves tried to goad Xhekaj into dropping his gloves, but the latter shooed away the former while also pointing towards the scoreboard to remind him of the score.
The pair would then engage in an exchange on the ice while the Maple Leafs were in the offensive zone. Reaves was trying to position himself at the front of the Canadiens' goal but Xhekaj did a good job in keeping him at bay, which was unfortunately as far they went in the physicality department.
Based on what would happen next, does Xhekaj regret his decision to not only reject the fight, but to insult Reaves and the Maple Leafs with a 3-goal lead in the first period?
The game completely tilted into the Maple Leafs' favour by the third period, and while Xhekaj might have had good intentions by keeping in mind that his team had a 3-goal lead, it seemed to have had the opposite effect that he intended.
Reaves finished the contest with 2 hits in 6:38 TOI, while Xhekaj was a minus-1, had 1 shot on goal, 2 hits, and skated 13:41 TOI. One of those hits was a crushing blow against Reaves early in the second period after he had already rejected the fight proposal.
These two clubs don't face off against one another again until the 12th of April, so it's hard to tell if anything from last night's game will spill over three months down the road. However, Reaves and Xhekaj have a history with one another that won't be going anywhere after yesterday's antics.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
JANVIER 19 | 2966 ANSWERS Arber Xhekaj's Actions Towards Ryan Reaves May Have Been the Catalyst in Leafs' Comeback Win Do you believe Arber Xhekaj's actions had anything to do with the Toronto Maple Leafs' comeback? |
Yes, teams don't take insults like that lightly | 1695 | 57.1 % |
No, there were more factors at play | 1271 | 42.9 % |
List of polls |
|
7 minutes ago | By Mike Armenti Canada To Enter 4 Nations Face-Off With Advantage Over USA After Unfortunate Announcement |
|
57 minutes ago | By Ryan Smitheram Mitch Marner Falls Out of Favour With Team Canada Ahead of Rematch With USA |
|
2 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Team Finland Head Coach Reveals Who He Thinks Will Win Canada-USA Rematch |
|
3 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Drew Doughty Issues Warning to Matthew Tkachuk Ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off Rematch |
|
16 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Auston Matthews Out Against Sweden With Upper-Body Ailment and Leafs Nation is Concerned |
|
17 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Nathan MacKinnon Fires Warning Shot at Team USA Ahead of Highly Anticipated Rematch With Canada |
|
19 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Team Canada's Stars Wake Up; Force Grudge Match With U.S. Thursday |
|
22 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Mitch Marner Demoted Yet Again By Team Canada Ahead of Meeting With Finland |