All 10 skaters battle it out in the opening faceoff at the start of the Devils-Rangers game

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils kicked off Wednesday night's game with a brawl involving all 10 players on the ice in the opening faceoff.

The main event was Rangers forward Matt Rempe taking on New Jersey's Curtis McDermid, as they have history from the previous time the Devils visited Madison Square Garden on March 11. That night, Rempe declined McDiarmid's offer to fight early in the bout. Later in the contest, Rempe knocked Devils outfielder Jonas Siegenthaler from the game with a high elbow and was subsequently suspended for four games.

Remby and McDermid had the longest fight on Wednesday as their battle continued on center ice After the other four battles It's over. Four players from each team received a game misconduct two seconds into the game.

“It was great to see the team respond like that and support each other,” said McDiarmid, who has not played New Jersey's last four games but was on the ice for the opener. “I have a lot of respect for him (Rimpy). He's a young kid trying to do what he wants. I understand that.”

Along with Rempe, New York defenders Jacob Trouba and Kandre Miller and forward Barclay Gaudreau were ejected from the game. New Jersey defensemen Kevin Pahl and John Marino and forwards Chris Tierney and McDiarmid also received early exits.

The Rangers went on to win 4-3 on a late power-play goal by Chris Kreider.

“I had no idea it was going to happen. It was spur of the moment,” McDiarmid said of the five simultaneous fights.

Miller fought Marino, Trouba fought Tierney, Gaudreau went against Bahl, and Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey fought New Jersey's Curtis Lazar. Vesey and Lazar remained in the game since they fought first and received no additional penalty.

“There was a lot going on. Five fights to start the game. I don't think anyone expected it,” Devils interim coach Travis Green said.

Green also exchanged words with Rangers coach Peter Laviolette between the benches after the fight.

“I have no idea why Peter was upset,” Green said. “Their players were lining up to fight before the game. We all know why it happened tonight. Something happened in the game before.”

All ten players also received five-minute combat penalties.

New York's Will Coyle then battled New Jersey's Dawson Mercer at the 4:27 mark of the first period after Coyle hit the Devils' Brendan Smith into the boards.

“It was just emotion more than anything else,” Laviolette said of his outburst. “I think the guys fought hard for each other.”

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