Cowan: Florian Xhekaj arrives with a bang for Canadiens

Florian Xhekaj’s first game in the NHL did not get off to a great start. The 21-year-old went on the ice alone for the traditional rookie lap to start the pre-game warmup with no helmet, picked up a puck just outside the blue line and proceeded to hit the post with his first shot on an empty net. “I don’t think I even raised the puck,” Xhekaj said after the game. “I don’t even know (if it hit the post). I was just trying to not fall out there. But my second sh