Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) during warm-up before game four of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round between the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens on May 12, 2026, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Montreal Canadiens have new lineup questions heading into the NHL Eastern Conference Final after Arber Xhekaj played just 1:52 in Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres. Though Montreal advanced to the next round against the Carolina Hurricanes, head coach Martin St. Louis reduced the defenseman’s role significantly.That decision quickly became one of the biggest NHL news round-up discussions around the Canadiens. Fans and analysts alike were left wondering why Arber Xhekaj was on the bench for the majority of the game, while Lane Hutson logged over 31 minutes of ice time in the high-pressure playoff win.

Arber Xhekaj receives limited minutes during Montreal Canadiens NHL playoff Game 7 match

Arber Xhekaj got limited minutes in the Montreal Canadiens NHL playoff Game 7. The defenseman finished the game with just 1:52 of total ice time, while rookie defenseman Lane Hutson absorbed a huge 31:17 against the Buffalo Sabres.The odd usage sparked immediate NHL updates and NHL trade rumours chatter online. Many fans thought Xhekaj had played a solid first shift and did not seem hurt. But Martin St. Louis leaned heavily on five defensemen for much of the game.The decision to send in the coach also put additional pressure on Montreal’s top defensive pairing. The Canadiens’ blue-line rotation could be a huge factor with fatigue looming in the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.Lane Hutson’s increased role in key playoff moments is a sign of the confidence the coaching staff has in the rookie defenseman.Meanwhile, Arber Xhekaj’s reduced role brings uncertainty heading into the next NHL game preview featuring the Canadiens and Hurricanes. Carolina’s aggressive offensive system could force Martin St. Louis to rethink his defensive rotations and how he spreads out the workload before the series opener.Montreal Canadiens fans will be paying close attention to see if Arber Xhekaj slides back into a regular role against the Carolina Hurricanes or if the coaching staff sticks with Lane Hutson and the team’s top defensive unit for the next stage of the Stanley Cup playoffs.