In a heated match-up between the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, enforcers Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj engaged in a physical confrontation that highlighted the rivalry between the two Original Six teams. The fight erupted early in the second period after a brief exchange of bumps and pokes, leading to gloves being dropped.

Rempe landed several punches on Xhekaj, who countered effectively before the bout ended with both players on the ice. The fight culminated in a five-minute major penalty for each player, with Rempe receiving an additional two minutes for roughing.

Both fighters have a history of penalty minutes, showcasing their roles as enforcers. This fight marked Rempe's first NHL fight of the year and Xhekaj's fourth this season, underscoring their aggressive playing styles. The game itself was characterized by physicality, with multiple players sent to the penalty box for roughing in the first period.