The Hudson River conflict is hot and heavy.
There’s always been bad blood between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, but it’s boiling over this year.
A five-on-five line brawl broke out early in Wednesday’s game, resulting in eight players being ejected. The battle was expected because the Rangers’ rookie enforcer Matt Lempe and the Devils’ Curtis McDiarmid were both in the starting lineup. The two faced off in their final match.
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Curtis McDiarmid #23 of the New Jersey Devils and Matt Lempe #73 of the New York Rangers face off in the first period at Madison Square Garden on April 3, 2024 in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Lempe has been known for his fights since literally his first second in the NHL. He made his debut in the Stadium Series in February, and his first shift started with a fight. He was ejected in each of the first two games against the Devils due to blows to the head, being ejected just 10 seconds into the first game and being suspended in the second game.
As soon as the puck dropped, the gloves came off and Barclay Goodrow took his face off in the middle of the ice and slid up to find his opponent.
Rempe didn’t even pretend to be ready for a showdown, standing upright and ready to confront McDiarmid.
That heavyweight fight, contrary to the hype, was the longest of the five bouts, lasting well over a minute at center ice.
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No. 79 K’Andre Miller of the New York Rangers and No. 6 John Marino of the New Jersey Devils face off during the first period at Madison Square Garden on April 3, 2024 in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Only the Devils’ Curtis Lazar and the Blueshirts’ Jimmy Vesey were not charged with game misconduct in the line brawl.
Less than five minutes later, there was another match between Dawson Mercer and Will Kiley.
The two teams had a line brawl in 2012. The two teams met in the Eastern Conference Finals that year, with the Devils winning in six games.
Matt Lempe, No. 73 of the New York Rangers, hits the ice after a first period battle with Curtis McDiarmid, No. 23 of the New Jersey Devils, on April 3, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Leave. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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New York, which has the most points in the league this year, is 3-0 against the Devils, who are fighting hard for a playoff spot after last year’s incredible run. . The Rangers got the first laugh by taking an early 1-0 lead on a goal from Artemi Panarin.
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