The Montreal Canadiens recalled center Owen Beck from the Laval Rocket on Monday, and the timing raises questions. Only hours earlier, forward Florian Xhekaj left practice after just a few minutes, and the team has not said what is wrong. The Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
Xhekaj Leaves Practice Early
Xhekaj returned to the ice Monday but did not stay long. He looked uncomfortable whenever he accelerated and grimaced during the skating drills. After speaking with a therapist, he ended his session.
The Canadiens have not announced a diagnosis. His season has been slow to start: two games, no points, and he missed Saturday’s 1-0 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings, which forced the team to dress only 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
The way he left the ice is the most likely reason for the call-up. Our read is that Xhekaj is not ready to return yet, but nothing is confirmed.
Kapanen and Matheson Also Missing
Oliver Kapanen and Mike Matheson did not skate Monday because of treatment days. Kapanen has yet to play a regular-season game because of an undisclosed injury, while Matheson has one assist in five games. With so many players in and out, the coaching staff needed another forward.
Who Is Owen Beck?
Beck is a 22-year-old, right-shooting center the Canadiens selected 33rd overall in 2022. His NHL role has been limited: in each of his last five games last season he played between roughly 7 and 11 minutes. This year he has one assist and a plus-1 rating in four games with the Rocket.
| 2025-26 season | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadiens (NHL) | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +4 |
| Laval Rocket (AHL) | 58 | 13 | 20 | 33 | +6 |
| Rocket playoffs (AHL) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | +2 |
His playoff run stands out. In five games with the Rocket this spring, Beck scored three goals and added two assists. In the regular season he showed the same offensive touch in the AHL, with 33 points in 58 games.
St-Louis Prefers 12 Forwards and Six Defensemen
Beck’s recall points to a return to the lineup Martin St-Louis prefers: 12 forwards and six defensemen. Against Detroit, the injuries forced him to use 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Adding Beck gives him his twelfth forward again.
That means one of the seven defensemen will come out of the lineup. Our expectation is that the player left out will be Arber Xhekaj, who played only 7:32 against Detroit, or Beck himself, depending on Xhekaj’s status and the lineup St-Louis chooses.
The Canadiens have not announced their lineup. Follow our Lineup Tonight and Injury Report pages for the latest.
Looking for Back-to-Back Wins
Montreal hosts the Sabres on Tuesday at 6:30 PM ET, trying to win two straight games for the first time this season, then travels to Washington on Wednesday. See the full Canadiens schedule.
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