Matt Rempe wastes no time dropping the gloves in Rangers return after thumb injury
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Matt Rempe fought Jeffrey Viel in the first period as the Rangers beat the Lightning 4-1 on Tuesday, his first fight since last October's thumb injury.
Matt Rempe is back in the New York Rangers lineup, and it took him all of one period to make some noise.
The 6-foot-9 forward dropped the gloves with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jeffrey Viel at 14:17 of the first period Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Rempe had sat out six straight games as a healthy scratch after the opener in Boston.
Mike Sullivan slotted him onto the fourth line in place of Jaroslav Chmelar, and the big winger made his return count.
How the fight played out
Viel connected with a few quick lefts early, but Rempe settled in and answered with a run of heavy rights.
Neither player got a takedown, though Rempe landed the more damaging punches.
Both picked up fighting majors.
Rempe did cut his left hand and headed to the locker room for repairs, yet he was back on the bench in the second period.
It was his first scrap since Oct. 23, 2025, when a fight with Ryan Reaves left him with a broken thumb.
That injury led to two surgeries and held him to 26 games last season.
Rempe has said the thumb feels fully healthy now.
What it means for the Rangers
Rempe logged just 3:43 of ice time, but the Rangers got the 4-1 win over the Lightning, powered by two goals from Alexis Lafrenière.
Tampa Bay found some life after the fight, but New York held on.
Sullivan has described Rempe as a physical, disruptive presence who sticks up for teammates, but his spot is still a game-to-game call.
With 11 regular-season fights now on his resume, Rempe is making sure he stays in the conversation.
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