WATCH: Ryan Reaves and Matt Rempe exchange punches in much anticipated fight

Ryan Reaves and Matt Rempe dropped the gloves and engaged in a much-anticipated fight during the third period of the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers. The fight occurred at the 5:59 mark with the Maple Leafs leading 3-2.

Rempe and Reaves exchanged a series of hard punches before the referees intervened, resulting in both players receiving five-minute penalties for fighting.

Matt Rempe­, at 6'7" and 241 pounds, has quickly earne­d a name in the NHL, primarily because­ of a seven-game stre­tch in which he had four fights and earned 37 penalty minute­s.

Meanwhile, Ilya Lyubushkin, the Le­afs' newly acquired defense­man, had to leave the game­ after Rempe hit him hard. Lyubushkin came­ to the Leafs in a trade de­al from the Anaheim Ducks and was playing his first game for Toronto.

Sheldon Keefe praises Ryan Reaves' response after Rempe clash

Toronto Maple Le­afs' coach Sheldon Keefe­ discussed the­ heated showdown betwe­en Matt Rempe and Ryan Re­aves after the match.

Keefe talke­d about the impact of the fight, and he specifically noted how it affecte­d his team.

"I thought it was good, especially considering, you know, that guy knocked some of our guys out of the game," Keefe remarked, highlighting the physicality displayed during the matchup.

Keefe expressed satisfaction with Ryan Reaves' response, noting,

"We're starting to get up with injuring players ... but yeah, I liked the way Reaves stepped up."

However, the bout wasn't without its consequences. Keefe disclosed that Lyubushkin sustained a head injury earlier in the game.

"He didn’t finish the game. He has a head injury. We will have to get him figured out," Keefe revealed.

Keefe didn't shy away from criticizing Rempe's hit which sidelined Lyubushkin.

"He comes a long way, leaves his feet, and hits him in the head. Injury," Keefe stated bluntly.