NHL Experts Point Out How Capitals-Canadiens Brawl Started

The Montreal Canadiens 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 was marred by a chaotic second-period brawl.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and former NHL defenseman Kevin Bieksa believe Arber Xhekaj had a major role in brewing the chaos.Speaking on the Sportsnet broadcast of Game 3, Friedman pointed to the Canadiens more aggressive style as a direct result of Xhekajs return to the lineup in his postseason debut.This was brewing, and it was brewing ever since Xhekaj showed up on the ice for warmup," Friedman said.

"Watch the Canadiens during the game."They start to go after Wilson a little bit.

He hits Evans, look at Demidov, he takes the legs out from underneath him.

Youre not thinking that he [Demidov] is the kinda of guy to do that."This was brewing, and it was brewing ever since Xhekaj showed up on the ice for warmup."@FriedgeHNIC breaks down the impact Xhekaj is making just by being in the Canadiens' lineup tonight.

pic.twitter.com/swqrlVpUkA Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 26, 2025Friedman highlighted that tensions started building the moment Xhekaj stepped onto the ice for warmups, exchanging heated words with Capitals forward Tom Wilson.Meanwhile, Bieksa agreed with Friedmans assessment, pointing toward Xhekaj's presence on the ice as a catalyst for the enhanced physicality shown by the Habs."These guys would never do this in the regular season," Bieksa said.

"Everyone gets 20 pounds (heavier) and grows 3 inches bigger."It's Anders versus (Wilson) all of the series.

Now, they all feel like they can take shots at Wilson, because at the end of the day, Anderson or Xhekaj is gonna be the one that answers the bells.Youre seeing everybody chip away at Tom Wilson now.Xhekaj and Wilson had some words during warmups pic.twitter.com/m8rLeuyz1t B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 25, 2025The late second-period melee began when Wilson hit Jake Evans, sparking retaliation from Ivan Demidov.

Xhekaj and Wilson then tried to engage but were separated by officials.

Moments later, Josh Anderson fought Wilson at the Capitals bench, leading to game misconducts and additional roughing penalties.Xhekaj, in his Stanley Cup playoffs debut, finished the night with 10:05 of ice time, two penalty minutes, and a +1 rating.Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) celebrates the win against the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images The Canadiens' offense was powered by goals from Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Alexandre Carrier, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Nick Suzuki.Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes finished the game after starter Sam Montembeault exited with an injury in the lone negative development for the Habs in Game 3.Montembeault exited midway through the second period with an apparent lower-body injury and didn't return.

The injury preceded Capitals goalie Logan Thompson's exit in the third frame after being injured in a collision with a teammate.

With the win, the Canadiens cut the Capitals series lead to 2-1.

The two teams will meet again Sunday night for Game 4 at Bell Centre in Montreal.Related: Capitals Dealt Unfavorable Logan Thompson News in Loss to CanadiensRelated: Arber Xhekaj Breaks Silence on 'Craziest' Brawl in Canadiens-Capitals.

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