Montreal Canadiens players Brendan Gallagher and Arber Xhekaj are enjoying a break while the NHL has stopped its regular season to hold the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
While the best players in the league are busy representing their respective countries at the 4 Nations Face-Off, some Montreal Canadiens are enjoying a mini-holiday. While Brendan Gallagher and his wife Emma Fortin opted to stay close to home, Arber Xhekaj has chosen to get away from the cold and the snow.
Accorinding to Fortin's Instagram she and husband Brendan Gallagher decided to take a break in beautiful Quebec City. While it may not be as exotic as the destinations chosen by most NHLers during this break, the couple had to stay close to home as they are expecting their first child in March. Being in the final month, it's understandable that they chose not to fly.
The Gallaghers stayed at Chateau Frontenac and where also able to bring their dog Sky along for the ride. I'm not sure if the Canadiens' alternate captain has ever been in old town Quebec City before, but it's definitely something worth seeing, especially in the winter which gives the Petit Champlain a certain je ne sais quoi...
As for blueliner Arber Xhekaj and his girlfriend Stephanie Kielb, they elected to leave the snowy province behind and fly south, not being restricted by any pregnancy concern. Most would agree that it was a good move, especially with the two snowstorms that have struck Montreal and the province of Quebec since Thursday.
Judging by the rearguard's Instagram account, they have been enjoying the sun, the pool and the golfing. A far cry away from what Montrealers have been getting up to, skipping the gym training and shoveling snow instead.
The Canadiens will get back on the ice on Saturday Feb. 22 when they take on the Ottawa Senators, in the nation's capital. Their next home game is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25 against the Carolina Hurricanes. With 26 games left to play, it seems highly unlikely, not to say impossible, that the Canadiens get back in the mix and fight for a playoffs spot.
That doesn't mean there won't be a cliffhanger in Montreal though, the trade deadline is approaching (March 7) and since there has been no contract extension for Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and David Savard, the trade watch can begin.
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.