Xhekaj eager to play Sens' Tkachuk: 'I'll butt heads with him'

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj called out Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk prior to Saturday's meeting between the Atlantic Division rivals.

"I'll butt heads with him. I go right at him. I fire him up. I don't care," Xhekaj told TVA Sports, as translated by Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

Xhekaj added, "I'll go hard every shift I have with him and try to make his life (miserable) ... try to make him have a tough night. Just bring it to him harder than he brings it to me."

However, Tkachuk was ruled out of Saturday's tilt with a minor injury after returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off. The American forward was involved in plenty of rough stuff during the tournament, including fighting against Canada in round-robin action and throwing thunderous hits throughout the event.

Xhekaj and Tkachuk scrapped during the preseason after the defender caught Tim Stutzle with a questionable hit. Xhekaj was ejected from the contest for the collision but didn't receive supplemental discipline.

Nothing happened between Xhekaj and Tkachuk when the two clubs met Oct. 12 - a 4-1 Canadiens victory.

Xhekaj (83) and Tkachuk (101) are both top five league-wide in penalty minutes this season.