Xhekaj delivers vicious beatdown in response to hit on Laine.

Maple Leafs rookie centerman Cedric Pare is learning some lessons the hard way this evening.

Earlier tonight Pare was involved in a controversial incident that left Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine injured, and it would seem that the Canadiens were not willing to let that incident slide without repercussions.

As a result Pare has just been on the receiving end of what I can only describe as a vicious beatdown at the hands of Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj. In spite of the fact that Xhekaj had the advantage in size, strength and experience as well, the Habs enforcer showed Pare absolutely no mercy of any kind after the knee on knee contact that left Laine injured.

Xhekaj challenged Pare on the ice who wanted no part of him at all, but Xhekaj would pull him back by the jersey once Pare began to try to skate away and delivered the beating to a defenseless Pare who never got his gloves off. It was an ugly scene to be sure, but I can understand from the Canadiens perspective why the team would be furious after a player that has never played in an NHL game injured a big ticket player that they just acquired via a trade.

Here is a look at the replay:

You don't want to see a defenseless player taking a beating of this nature to be sure as it could be quite dangerous, but again I understand the frustration boiling over from the Canadiens in this particular incident.

Laine appeared distraught as he left the ice, throwing both his gloves and helmet in frustration as he was helped back to the locker room and you have to believe that this played a significant role in how the Canadiens have responded to this incident.

With plenty of time remaining in the game, this may be far from over.