The All-Star weekend brought back excitement with the return of the Montreal Canadiens' annual skills competition, especially after its absence this season. The event showcased thrilling contests, including speed skating, relay racing, accuracy shooting, hardest shot, and a unique shootout round.

Alex Newhook emerged victoriously in the fastest skater event while Cole Caufield triumphed against Nick Suzuki in the relay race. The hardest shot contest was highlighted by Arber Xhekaj, who defended his title with a 101.2 MPH shot, edging out Mike Matheson. The standout moment came from rookie Jennifer Gardiner of the PWHL’s Montreal Victoire, who shattered accuracy shooting records with a remarkable 9.457 seconds.

Ryan Reaves aimed to engage in a fight with Arber Xhekaj during a recent game, only for Xhekaj to point to the scoreboard, which favored the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 at that moment. However, as the game progressed, the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied to win 7-3. Post-game, Reaves reflected on the incident, suggesting that Xhekaj's actions had consequences, particularly for a younger player challenging someone with his experience. This interaction has sparked discussions across social media platforms, showing the dynamics of respect and the unwritten rules in hockey.

Reaves hasn't fought in a regular season game since April 2024 and noted a lack of opportunities lately, citing the absence of willing opponents in recent matchups. Despite this, he remains confident in his fighting abilities, relying on muscle memory from his extensive experience in the league.

In a heated match-up between the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, enforcers Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj engaged in a physical confrontation that highlighted the rivalry between the two Original Six teams. The fight erupted early in the second period after a brief exchange of bumps and pokes, leading to gloves being dropped.

Rempe landed several punches on Xhekaj, who countered effectively before the bout ended with both players on the ice. The fight culminated in a five-minute major penalty for each player, with Rempe receiving an additional two minutes for roughing.

Both fighters have a history of penalty minutes, showcasing their roles as enforcers. This fight marked Rempe's first NHL fight of the year and Xhekaj's fourth this season, underscoring their aggressive playing styles. The game itself was characterized by physicality, with multiple players sent to the penalty box for roughing in the first period.

Patrik Laine propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings with a power-play goal late in the third period. Laine's goal was notable for breaking Moritz Seider's stick and slipping past Cam Talbot.

Jake Evans contributed with a short-handed goal and an assist in his 300th game, while Emil Heineman and Arber Xhekaj also added to the score. For Detroit, Patrick Kane, Joe Veleno, and Tyler Motte found the net, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.

Patrik Laine propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings with a power-play goal late in the game. This marked Laine's seventh goal of the season, all scored on power plays.

Jake Evans contributed a short-handed goal and an assist in his 300th NHL game, while Emil Heineman and Arber Xhekaj also found the net. For Detroit, Patrick Kane, Joe Veleno, and Tyler Motte scored, with Michael Rasmussen providing two assists.