Ryan Reaves says he wants another crack at Arber Xhekaj; reveals he has stolen Marner's job as team DJ

This past Wednesday evening, the Maple Leafs kicked off their 2023-24 season with an ultra-dramatic 6-5 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens, erasing a pair of 2-goal deficits and completing a successful coaches challenge to negate a goal in the process. Auston Matthews lit the lamp 3 times, the Leafs unveiled a brand new goal song, Ryan Reaves landed a trio of big hits and dropped the gloves with Arber Xhekaj, and Mitch Marner overcame what he called very sloppy ice conditions to bury the game-winner in the shootout to put the Leafs at 1-0-0 to begin the season.

The Leafs' new goal song, replacing the classic Hall & Oates tune "You Make My Dreams (Come True)" is Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness", which is certainly a bit of a different flavour - one that Ryan Reaves admitted to having some input in.

Not only did Reaves have a hand in the new goal song selection, but he has also reportedly ousted Mitch Marner as the team's designated locker room DJ, Reaves told the media following Friday's practice. Not only that, but he also revealed something pretty exciting about his tilt with Xhekaj. There will be a round 2.

Reaves and Xhekaj got physical and let the fists fly in a brief scrap in the first period on Wednesday, which ended in Xhekaj pushing Reaves over the back of the Montreal net. Reaves wasn't overly pleased with the result of that one, but mentioned that he wants to have another go with the 6'4, near 240-pound Habs defenseman.

As it turns out, the 36-year-old will have to wait awhile, as the Leafs don't play the Canadiens again until March 9th, so circle that one on your calendar now, folks.

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