The New York Rangers’ trip to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Sunday featured no shortage of drama, highlighted by an overtime ending and a heavyweight fight between enforcers Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj.
The bout came during the second period of the Rangers 5–4 loss to the Habs, with both players trading heavy blows before Xhekaj brought Rempe to the ice.
Rempe, skating in his sixth consecutive game since returning from an eight-game suspension because of an illegal hit on Dallas Stars' Miro Heiskanen, initiated the exchange after a physical forecheck on Xhekaj.
The two dropped gloves shortly after the whistle, with Xhekaj landing a few heavy punches, drawing loud cheers from the Montreal faithful, and ultimately bringing the bout to an end and skating away with his fist raised in celebration.
The fight marked Rempe’s first NHL scrap of 2025 and his fourth this season. Xhekaj tied Rempe as it was also his fourth bout of the campaign.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette offered praise for the 22-year-old Rempe after the enforcer spent part of the season down in the AHL honing his game and returned to become a steady presence on New York's lineup.
“I think he’s done a good job,” Laviolette said before the game. “He brings energy, gets in on the forecheck, and has been responsible defensively. We’re still working on building trust and finding the right fit for him.”
The loss drops the Rangers to 22-20-4, leaving them fifth in the Metropolitan Division and outside the playoff picture while they keep navigating daily trade speculation that seems to ramp up with each passing hour.
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