The New York Rangers’ game against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday was filled with excitement, marked by an overtime finish and a notable fight between enforcers Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj.
This confrontation occurred during the second period of the Rangers’ 5–4 defeat to the Canadiens, with both players exchanging powerful punches before Xhekaj took Rempe down to the ice.
Rempe, who was playing in his sixth straight game after serving an eight-game suspension for an illegal hit on Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars, started the altercation following a physical play against Xhekaj. The two dropped their gloves shortly after the whistle, with Xhekaj landing several solid shots that thrilled the Montreal crowd, ultimately concluding the fight with him celebrating as he skated away.
This bout was Rempe’s first fight in the NHL for 2025 and his fourth of the season, while it also marked Xhekaj’s fourth encounter of the year.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette commended the 22-year-old Rempe, who had spent part of the season in the AHL refining his skills, and has since returned as a reliable presence on the team’s roster.
“I think he’s done a good job,” Laviolette said prior to the game. “He brings energy, contributes to the forecheck, and plays responsibly defensively. We are still working on building trust and finding the right role for him.”
Following the loss, the Rangers’ record stands at 22-20-4, placing them fifth in the Metropolitan Division and outside the playoff contention, all while facing increasing trade rumors that seem to intensify by the hour.
