The Washington Capitals faced off against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, seeking revenge after being swept by them in the first round of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Just under three minutes into the game, Washington’s Dylan McIlrath and New York’s Matt Rempe engaged in a fight at center ice. McIlrath landed several strong punches, causing Rempe to bleed and eventually knocking him down after nearly a minute of battling. The two have a history of fighting, having squared off at least twice before—once during the 2024 playoffs and again in the minor leagues.
Interestingly, both players were drafted by New York, with McIlrath going 10th overall in 2010 and Rempe 165th in 2020.
The intense fight set the stage for a physical rematch between these divisional rivals. Ultimately, Washington secured a 5-3 victory at Capital One Arena, marking a successful start to their season series against New York and providing some payback for last year’s playoff disappointment.
