Xhekaj Shines as Habs Lead Lightning

0:00It's April 26th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is NHL News today, AI-powered updates on your squad. Montreal Canadians hold a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning in their Eastern Conference First Round series, thanks in part to Defenceman. Arbor Shakash stepping up big as their sixth guy on the blue line. He's logging under 11 minutes per game so far, but every shift counts in this playoff push. In game 3 on Friday, the haves clinched a 3-2 overtime win at Bell Center, and Shakash made his mark with just 14 shifts. On assist on, the tie-in goal, 8 hits, 2 shots, and a plus 2 rating that helps seal the deal. Coach Martin St. Louis praised Hesh Kaj for earning his ice time the hard way, not expecting handouts like some young players do, while his partner, Jaden Strubel called him a six-foot-four menace, who smart, physical, and avoids dumb penalties, turning them into a solid shut-down pair with some. Offense. Shakash leads the entire league in playoff-puck possession at over 72%, way ahead of

1:04his teammates, and he's bounced back strong after. Late season scratches that tested his mental game. Game 4 goes down Sunday at 7pm, Eastern Time back in Montreal, where Shakash plans to keep stacking those quality shifts and building his case, as a playoff force.