Florian Xhekaj’s first game in the NHL did not get off to a great start. Article content

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. Article content Article content

“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 shot was pretty good. The first one, I don’t think it came off the ice.”

Xhekaj’s older brother and now teammate Arber chuckled after the game when asked about the first shot of the rookie lap.

“I heard he went muffin along the ice,” the 24-year-old Arber said with a chuckle. “That

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