Xhekaj's point drought reached 20 games in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj has been a physical force as usual, racking up 49 PIM and 71 hits during his slump on offense. He's added just 10 shots on net in that span. The 25-year-old defenseman is holding down a third-pairing role while Jayden Struble sits as a healthy scratch, but Xhekaj is tough to roster in fantasy if he's not going to chip in at least a little offense. For the season, he has just two points with 32 shots on net, 104 PIM, 131 hits and a minus-7 rating through 48 appearances.

Xhekaj scored a goal and had three hits during Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj found the back of the net for Montreal's second goal of the opening period. His twine finder Saturday was his first of the season, to go with 60 hits and 22 blocks through 28 games. The 24-year-old blueliner was due for a point, as he hadn't found the scoresheet since Montreal's second game of the season. He was a healthy scratch twice in the past few weeks, making his goal a reason to keep him in the lineup moving forward. Outside of deep leagues that value banger stats, Xhekaj remains off the fantasy radar.

Xhekaj was a healthy scratch for Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mammoth.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj's playing time was safe until the Canadiens called up Adam Engstrom, who has far more offensive upside. Going forward, Xhekaj will likely be in the lineup when Montreal wants more toughness, as he doesn't often make a big impact on offense. Through 20 appearances, he has one assist, 31 hits, 40 PIM, 15 blocked shots, 16 shots on net and a minus-4 rating. Xhekaj is unlikely to play in anything more than a third-pairing role when he gets back into the lineup.

Xhekaj recorded an assist, six hits, two blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj is an ultra-physical defenseman, so he'll bring some grit to the third pairing alongside Alexandre Carrier. The two combined on Carrier's goal in the second period Thursday. Xhekaj's place in the lineup isn't guaranteed -- if his performance slips, he could be replaced by Jayden Struble. For the season, Xhekaj has racked up seven hits, four blocked shots and two shots on net in addition to his assist over two contests. He was limited to just six points with 180 hits and 118 PIM in 70 regular-season outings in 2024-25.

Xhekaj's point drought reached 15 games in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Kaiden Guhle (quadriceps) returned to action Friday, but Xhekaj stayed in the lineup as a seventh defenseman. Xhekaj saw just 3:52 of ice time, so it's very clear he's at risk of heading to the press box if the Canadiens use a six-defensemen lineup. The 24-year-old brings an element of physicality to the lineup, but Jayden Struble and David Savard can also throw the body around, and Guhle's no slouch in that department either. Xhekaj has a career-low six points with 69 shots on net, 176 hits, 62 blocked shots, 118 PIM and a minus-13 rating despite playing in a career-high 69 games in his third NHL campaign.

Xhekaj notched an assist and three hits in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj got on the scoresheet for the first time since Dec. 20 with his helper on a Cole Caufield tally in the first period. The 24-year-old Xhekaj has been a regular presence in the Canadiens' lineup this season, adding some grit in a bottom-four role. He's at six points, 58 shots on net, 143 hits, 51 blocked shots, 83 PIM and a minus-7 rating. His playing style works in fantasy formats that reward physicality, but his ice time could drop once Kaiden Guhle (quadriceps) is able to return to the lineup.

Xhekaj had a game-high six shots on goal in Saturday's 4-0 loss to New Jersey.

EDGE Analysis

In Saturday's shutout loss, Xhekaj added one hit and one blocked shot in 19:47 of ice time. He hasn't earned a point in 23 straight games. Xhekaj has one goal, four assists, 57 shots on net, 50 blocked shots and a team-high 135 hits through 52 appearances this season.

Xhekaj's point drought reached 16 games in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj has 29 PM and 34 hits during his 16-game point drought, so he's still supplying plenty of the rough stuff. The 23-year-old defenseman has a bit of short-term security in the lineup after Jayden Struble was sent to AHL Laval on a conditioning loan Friday. Xhekaj has just five points to go with 110 hits, 72 PIM, 47 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 45 appearances this season.

Xhekaj scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 4-3 win over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj ended a five-game point drought with his game-tying goal in the third period, which was his first tally of the season. The 23-year-old defenseman didn't do much on offense early on -- all five of his points have come over the last 15 games. He's added 33 shots on net, 43 PIM, 31 blocked shots, 76 hits and a minus-5 rating through 29 outings overall. Xhekaj looks set to continue playing a physical role in the Canadiens' bottom four, though he may have to compete with Jayden Struble for the last spot in the lineup since Alexandre Carrier was brought in a swap that sent frequent scratch Justin Barron to Nashville.

Xhekaj notched an assist, three hits, three blocked shots and two PIM in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Predators.

EDGE Analysis

Xhekaj has earned four assists over his last nine games. The 23-year-old is also playing his usual physical game, adding 27 PIM, 32 hits and 13 blocked shots in that span. He won't often chip in much offense, but Xhekaj can help in banger leagues with his ultra-aggressive style. He's at four assists, 22 shots on net, 41 PIM, 61 hits and 23 blocked shots through 23 outings this season.