In just five minutes of ice time, Rangers rookie Matt Rempe has made a lasting impact on the Devils team, accumulating an impressive 47 penalty minutes and being ejected in all three games against them. The culmination of the Devils’ frustration with Rempe led to a full-scale line brawl with a total of 132 penalty minutes and eight ejections.
The history between Rempe and the Devils dates back to February 22, 2024, when he delivered a massive hit on Nathan Bastian, resulting in a match penalty and an additional two-minute roughing penalty. Despite a challenge from defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, Rempe was able to hold his ground and leave a mark on the game in just a single shift lasting 13 seconds.
In the next matchup on March 11, Rempe continued to infuriate the Devils with a nasty elbow to Siegenthaler’s face, leading to a five-minute major penalty for elbowing and a 10-minute misconduct. Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid, who had been looking to settle the score with Rempe earlier in the game, was left frustrated by Rempe’s actions and lack of willingness to drop the gloves.
The tension between Rempe and the Devils came to a head on April 3 when Rangers coach Peter Laviolette decided to put Rempe back in the lineup for the third game against New Jersey. As soon as the puck dropped, a full-on line brawl erupted with punches flying and all 10 skaters engaging in the chaos. Rempe finally squared off with MacDermid, resulting in both players being ejected along with several other teammates from both teams.
In total, Rempe’s interactions with the Devils have resulted in 79 penalty minutes in just three games, highlighting his physical presence and willingness to engage in aggressive play. While some have criticized his actions as unsportsmanlike, others see his style of play as a necessary component of the physicality of hockey and a way to protect his teammates.
Despite his limited ice time, Rempe has managed to become a significant figure in the rivalry between the Rangers and the Devils, leaving a lasting impression with his aggressive play and willingness to engage in physical altercations on the ice. As the feud between the two teams continues to escalate, Rempe’s presence is sure to add another layer of intensity to future matchups between the Hudson River rivals.
