The Montreal Canadiens have responded to a physically dominant performance by the Washington Capitals by calling up forward Florian Xhekaj from the AHL's Laval Rocket. The move comes just one day after the Canadiens suffered an 8-4 loss at the Bell Centre, a game notably impacted by a massive hit from Capitals enforcer Tom Wilson.
A Response to Physical Play
The decision to promote the 6-foot-4, 204-pound centre was made on Friday, November 21, 2025. This strategic roster move is widely seen as a direct response to the events of Thursday night's game, where the Canadiens were outmuscled, particularly by Tom Wilson.
A pivotal moment occurred early in the second period when Wilson delivered a punishing hit on Montreal's Jake Evans. The 6-foot, 190-pound Evans was left shaken on the play. Following the hit, which was not penalized, the Capitals quickly scored to take a 3-1 lead, seizing control of the game's momentum.
Evans did not return for the third period and was absent from practice the following day, with the team describing it as a therapy day. The Canadiens have stated they will provide an update on his condition on Saturday. Evans has a known history of concussions, adding concern to the situation.
What Xhekaj Brings to the Lineup
Florian Xhekaj is expected to inject a significant dose of grit and toughness into the Canadiens' lineup. In 16 games with the Laval Rocket this season, he has recorded 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points, along with 44 penalty minutes. His style of play is perfectly encapsulated by the term sandpaper, a quality head coach Martin St. Louis has publicly stated the team needs more of.
His potential NHL debut is anticipated to be a historic family moment, as he is likely to suit up alongside his older brother, Arber Xhekaj, for Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. This would mark the first time the two brothers play together in the NHL.
During his rookie AHL season last year, Florian demonstrated he is more than just a physical presence. He posted impressive offensive numbers with 24 goals and 11 assists for 35 points in 69 games, while also leading the entire league with 175 penalty minutes.
Teammates React to Wilson's Hit
The hit on Evans and the lack of response from the Canadiens became a major talking point after the game. Star forward Cole Caufield commented on the play, noting, I thought he took a lot of pretty hard strides there and got Jake in a vulnerable position. Hockey's hockey and I think maybe it was a little bit high.
Defenceman Lane Hutson, who at 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds is considerably smaller than Wilson, acknowledged the challenge. It's tough ... he's a good player, Hutson said. He plays a physical brand. We can't step down from the game that they're playing... it's got to come from everyone.
The statistics from the game underscored the Capitals' physical dominance. While the Canadiens actually outhit Washington 20-19, none of those hits were directed at Wilson, who appeared to successfully intimidate the Montreal squad.
With the call-up of Florian Xhekaj, the Canadiens are sending a clear message that they will not be pushed around in future contests. Coach St. Louis has emphasized that while fighting ability is a bonus, he values players who can play a heavy game and contribute meaningfully in all aspects of play, both offensively and defensively.
