The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils have always mixed like oil and water. With the rivalry stagnating from the late 2010's into the early 2020's, an intense playoff bout in the 2023 playoffs reignited the hatred between the two teams. Then, Matt Rempe showed up.
Rempe immediately drew attention to himself when he fought Matt Martin of the New York Islanders during his NHL Stadium Series debut. Just two games later, he would be ejected after elbowing Nathan Bastian of New Jersey. Most meetings between the two teams since have been filled with tension. With Rempe potentially returning to the lineup for Saturday's matinee, could we see more fireworks between the two teams?
Matthew Rempe was given a match penalty for this hit on Nate Bastian pic.twitter.com/2AzdNRJncW
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 23, 2024
When the two clashed at Madison Square Garden about a month later, the game started off with a bang. Both teams sent out their heavyweights, resulting in a full-line brawl just two seconds into the contest. All ten skaters engaged in fights simultaneously. Eight of the players were ejected with game misconducts.
There is plenty of motivation for both teams to play with similar intensity this weekend. With the Devils yet to clinch a playoff position, they could inch closer to that inevitability with a win. The Rangers are still fighting for the final playoff spot in the eastern conference, trailing the Montreal Canadiens by two points. While a win would give the Blueshirts a fighting chance down the stretch, a loss could doom them. With a future mired in uncertainty, it should be in every player's best interest to earn a victory Saturday afternoon.
In a season full of uninspired performances, this matchup presents an opportunity for the team to find a spark. With so much on the line, both teams should be playing their best hockey. The fast, physical environment is ripe for scrums and skirmishes. Most fans will remember Jacob Trouba's helmet throw that reinvigorated the team in 2022. The Rangers need a moment like that to propel them into the playoffs.
OTD: December 3rd, 2022
— Matthew P. Mugno (@mugnoma) December 3, 2023
The helmet toss from Jacob Trouba. #NYR were 11-10-5 at the time.
After this moment they went 36-12-8. @TheHockeyNews | @MSGNetworks pic.twitter.com/azzKNx6pHK
The Rangers can no longer afford to drop points. With Montreal's favorable remaining schedule, every second of each game is of the utmost importance. Nothing has been able to get this group of players fired up all season.
Why not resort to the nuclear option?