The image is hard to forget: Arber Xhekaj, caught between frustration and disbelief, glides back toward the Canadiens’ bench as the Colorado Avalanche celebrate yet another goal. The lights of Ball Arena glare down, the crowd roars, and for a split second, Xhekaj’s face says it all—a mix of disappointment, confusion, and the weight of a night gone terribly wrong. On an evening when every mistake was magnified, Xhekaj found himself at the center of a storm, and the questions swirling around his play are louder than ever.

From the opening puck drop, it was clear the Canadiens were a step behind. Colorado’s relentless speed and crisp execution made Montreal look like they were skating in quicksand. Every zone exit seemed forced, every pass a struggle, and every defensive read just a heartbeat late. The Avalanche pounced, turning even the smallest hesitation into a scoring chance, and the Habs had no answer. It was a masterclass in domination—and a harsh lesson for a young defenseman still learning the NHL’s unforgiving rhythms.

Arber Xhekaj’s night quickly became a focal point for criticism. Analyst Anthony Martineau didn’t mince words, calling out Xhekaj’s passive defending on the first goal—backing up too far, surrendering precious ice, and giving Colorado’s puck carrier a runway to the net. On the second goal, Xhekaj lost his man entirely, a costly lapse that left his goaltender exposed and the Canadiens reeling. “I await your anger,” Martineau wrote, capturing the frustration of fans who watched their team unravel shift by shift.

But the blame doesn’t fall on Xhekaj alone. Jakub Dobes, thrown into the fire as Montreal’s young goaltender, was left to fend for himself behind a defense that offered little support. Every turnover seemed to land on a Colorado stick, and every rush felt like a threat. Alex Carrier’s struggles continued, with another rough outing adding to a road trip he’ll want to forget. In truth, it was the kind of game where everyone looked lost, and no one could find a spark.

Yet, even in the darkness, there were flashes of hope. Juraj Slafkovsky, still finding his footing in the NHL, delivered a beautiful play to set up Ivan Demidov’s goal—a rare moment of skill in a night otherwise defined by mistakes. And while the Canadiens’ effort fell short, they still return from the West with four points out of six, a result most fans would have gladly accepted before the trip began. The disappointment is real, but so is the opportunity to regroup and learn.

For Arber Xhekaj, this night will sting. His errors were glaring, and the criticism is justified. But in the long grind of an NHL season, setbacks are inevitable. Sometimes, a humbling loss is exactly what a team—and a young player—needs to reset, refocus, and come back stronger. The spotlight may be harsh, but it’s also where growth happens.

Photo of Arber Xhekaj

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

On a night when the Colorado Avalanche controlled the game from start to finish, several key Canadiens players really struggled.

It almost felt like the Habs were always half a second late. And when that happens, it’s never a good sign. Colorado’s speed hit immediately, and Martin St-Louis’ team never managed to keep up. Even the zone exits looked heavy, hesitant, and easy for the Avalanche to anticipate.

Anthony Martineau was very clear in his analysis of Arber Xhekaj’s play, writing:

“I didn’t like how Arber Xhekaj handled himself on the two goals.

He keeps backing up forever and leaves a massive gap between the puck carrier and himself on the first one, when he could/should have held his blue line.

He loses his man on the second.

I await your anger.”

– Anthony Martineau

In my opinion, it’s an honest summary of a game where everything seemed to go wrong.

Arber Xhekaj’s mistakes and an overall effort that wasn’t enough

Jakub Dobes, for his part, was left alone all night. He faced shots without real support, and although it’s the kind of game a young goaltender wants to forget quickly, he had almost no chance. Alex Carrier’s three-game road trip has been rough, as he’s now been on the ice for a team-worst five even-strength goals against.

It was one of those nights where a goalie feels abandoned, especially when every turnover becomes a scoring chance for the other team. Anthony Martineau also noted that Xhekaj backed up too much on the first two goals, which opened a huge door for Colorado.

The only small bright spot was Juraj Slafkovsky. His play on Ivan Demidov’s goal was really nice to see – proof that his talent can shine even in a game that was lost early.

And despite this entire forgettable night, the Canadiens return from the West with 4 points out of 6. I think any fan would have taken that before the trip, even if the way it happened leaves a strange taste. It’s disappointing, but it’s pretty much the only thing to hold onto for comfort.

And honestly, I think a slap like this can sometimes get everyone back on track for what’s ahead.