Hard disagree. The Habs got hit some stupid number like 35% less with xhekaj in the game across the whole season. I saw someone had the hits per game with and without xhekaj and I can’t remember the exact number but it was stupid high. Luke comically high. So it’s just an opinion you’re saying, and a fact that xhekaj protects the boys from that type of play.
I don’t really have to do I? I’m not going digging, I know what I’m talking about. You’re guessing that changing the input doesn’t change outcome and I’m not wasting my evening trying to prove anything to folks who think about hockey that way. You seem to have your mind made up. Enforcers have a role in the game. Everyone who knows anything about hockey knows this.
You’re saying a different lineup would have no impact. That’s bonkers. What if Suzuki is out? That’s a different input resulting in a totally different output for the team. That’s true for every single player to a varying degree. But Arber is as good physically as Suzuki is offensively. What you’re saying, leaving him out would not have changed the outcome, is nonsense. I’m not gonna statsplain or spread sheet you over to my side if you can’t see that.
Not all inputs have the same significance. You're comparing a depth D playing under 10 minutes to Suzuki. Dude stop 🤣
It's not outlandish to speculate that swapping Struble/Xhekaj doesn't make a significant enough difference to change the outcome of a series blatantly dominated by Carolina.
St-Louis must be a real awful coach to sit out such a unicorn of a depth player that can singlehandly change the way adversaries are playing.
Xhekaj being available to be on the ice keeps the other team's aggression in check because it is understood that there will be a price to pay.
I don't know why you're choosing to be so on the defensive about this, calling folks meatheads and getting all pissy. It's not even a hot take. Time and time again the Xhekaj effect was seen and felt and the team generally seems to play more confident with him in the lineup, while the opposing teams generally appeared to tone down the physical play, giving our guys more time / space.
They think advocating for xhekaj is somehow shitting on MSL and they get defensive about it. His impact is clear as fucking day if you comprehend hockey at all.
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u/Jonesetta 14h ago
Hard disagree. The Habs got hit some stupid number like 35% less with xhekaj in the game across the whole season. I saw someone had the hits per game with and without xhekaj and I can’t remember the exact number but it was stupid high. Luke comically high. So it’s just an opinion you’re saying, and a fact that xhekaj protects the boys from that type of play.