The Rangers were up by a goal in the first period against the Maple Leafs on Saturday night when veteran bruiser Ryan Reaves started chirping Matt Rempe.
It was a fight anticipated by the media and hockey fans alike. So much so that the promotions for the game may as well have looked like a pay-per-view standoff between two UFC fighters, with Reaves and Rempe staring each other down resentfully.
When the initial opportunity to square off arose, the 6-foot-8 ½ Rangers forward declined to fight for the first time since making his NHL debut just over two weeks ago.
Reaves’ second challenge with the Rangers down a goal in the third period, however, did not go unanswered.
“We were up 1-0, we had the momentum I thought, end-of-the-shift type of thing, thought there was no need there,” Rempe told The Post before the Rangers took on the Panthers on Monday night at the Garden. “Then I picked my spot better. We’re down, maybe need something, need some energy there. Also, when you’re getting openly challenged like that — we can say no and stuff — but me, I’m a competitor.
“It’s hard [to say no], but it’s like, I’ll learn and pick my spots and stuff. But there, it’s like, that guy is a legend. That guy’s been one of the most feared men in the league for 15 years.”
Rempe is focusing on learning when the right time for a fight is mid-game.
Monday night’s 4-2 loss to the Panthers marked the third time in his eight games that he didn’t fight.
The whirlwind of attention he’s gotten has the NHL’s most notable tough guys circling their upcoming game(s) against the Rangers.
In turn, the last couple of crowds at Madison Square Garden have vocalized their adoration for Rempe, who heard his name reverberate throughout the concourses for the first time on Monday.
Between his new-found celebrity, adjusting to the NHL and navigating this terrain of every bruiser wanting a chance to get their licks, Rempe is learning a lot on the fly.
“He’s going to be a menace in this league,” Reaves told reporters.
The Rangers have had to provide guidance and head coach Peter Laviolette has reiterated many times that conversations have been had with the Calgary native.
Rempe even looked at the Rangers’ bench for approval before he dropped the gloves with Reaves at center ice in Toronto.
“Just was trying to see what was going on,” he said of his look back, declining to specify whether he was looking at Laviolette or his teammates. “Just trying to see. Because I know before I said no and decided it wasn’t the right time. Just making sure, I was like, ‘Eh, I think it’s the right time.’ ”
Fans in attendance at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday ultimately got their money’s worth.
And Reaves left Rempe with one simple message.
“He said, ‘Welcome to the league!’ in a really nice way,” Rempe said with a smile. “It was cool. It was a good battle.”
Laviolette swapped his two bottom-six centers for Monday’s game. With Barclay Goodrow between Will Cuylle and Jimmy Vesey, Jonny Brodzinski dropped down to the fourth unit to skate in the middle of Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe.
The Rangers are scheduled to be off on Tuesday and Wednesday before returning to practice on Thursday. Their next game isn’t until Saturday against the Blues.