The real story is Shesterkin’s 164:03 shutout streak, dating back to the opening minute of the second period in Salt Lake City last week. The Rangers are playing so much better in front of their goalies this month that their numbers are bound to be better, but Shesterkin is also very much on point after his brief absence at the start of January.

Rempe flashed off a nifty little backhand shovel move to score his first NHL goal since the 2024 playoff series against the Washington Capitals. Fans at Madison Square Garden erupted in response and chants of ‘Rempe, Rempe’ rang loud across the world’s most famous arena.

The New York Rangers recalled their six-foot-eight yard-dog forward Matt Rempe on Tuesday from the AHL Hartford Wolfpack after having served an eight-game suspension. He is officially eligible to return against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

And Rempe acknowledged another violation could lead to a “huge suspension,” forcing him to confront the daunting challenge of embracing his physicality — the strength that helped him carve out a marginal role in the first place and become a fan favorite after debuting last February — while preventing it from becoming reckless.

The New York Rangers’ trip to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Sunday featured no shortage of drama, highlighted by an overtime ending and a heavyweight fight between enforcers Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj.

Rangers forward Matt Rempe made a sobering admission before his return from an eye-opening eight-game suspension.

Igor Shesterkin collected 20 saves en route to a shutout, and even entered into a fight behind his own net with Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk in the third period, as the New York Rangers blanked the Senators 5-0 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe returned to practice this week after serving an eight-game suspension for an illegal hit on Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen on Dec. 20.