Arber Xhekaj's reported punishment is revealed as Canadiens get ready for Game 4

The reported ruling is a $2,500 fine, not a suspension, after Xhekaj's Game 3 hit on Sam Carrick.

That matters more than the money. Montreal keeps its most feared blue-line presence available while Buffalo gets no lineup relief.

Max Lalonde framed the punishment directly:

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski also wrote he would be surprised by anything more than fines for Xhekaj and Josh Norris.

NHL rarely suspends for sucker punches.

The league's read appears to separate chaos from intent. Norris was in an active scrum, while Xhekaj's hit became the flashpoint.

For St-Louis, this is a usage win. Xhekaj has played 8 of Montreal's 10 playoff games, with 1 assist and a +4 rating.

That's not about offense. It's about pressure, noise, and making Buffalo handle every puck along the wall with a second thought.

Lindy Ruff loses the cleaner argument now. The Sabres wanted discipline to change the series temperature, but they'll have to answer it on the ice.

Xhekaj carries a $1,300,000 hit, so a $2,500 fine does not change much for him.

Montreal keeps the player who changed the tone of it.

That is the real consequence. Xhekaj stays in, St-Louis keeps his edge, and Game 4 gets heavier before puck drop.

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