The Washington Capitals were swept by the New York Rangers in the first round of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, so Tuesday’s meeting was their first chance at revenge.
Not even three minutes into the contest, Washington’s Dylan McIlrath and New York’s Matt Rempe dropped the gloves and duked it out at center ice.
McIlrath got several quality blows in, drawing blood from Rempe and throwing him to the ice after nearly a minute of exchanging shots.
Both aggressors have a history, fighting at least twice before — once in the 2024 postseason and again while in the minor leagues.
The fight coincidentally featured two NHL Draft selections by New York. McIlrath was picked 10th overall in 2010 whereas Rempe was drafted 165th overall in 2020.
Tuesday’s heavyweight bout set the tone for a hard-hitting rematch between the two division rival squads.
Washington successfully defended Capital One Arena as 5-3 victors, taking the first of three scheduled meetings this season with New York and avenging the sting of last year’s playoff embarrassment.
