Tom Wilson Details Confrontation With Rempe & Praises Him After Capitals' Win Over Rangers: 'He's Made A Lot Of Noise'

Tensions flared between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, and of course, Tom Wilson and Matt Rempe were a part of it.

Before Brandon Duhaime and Sam Carrick chose to drop the gloves in one of two fights in the 3-2 overtime win for the Capitals, Wilson got into it with Rempe in the second period as referees did their best to keep them separated.

Wilson shared more on the confrontation with TNT postgame, saying that it rose out of Rempe hitting Alex Ovechkin.

“He bumped into O a couple times, which i just told him, 'Anybody else but him.' I don’t like it when guys are bumping into O. He can handle himself, he’s an absolute machine," Wilson said.

The Capitals alternate captain then took the time to praise Rempe.

"I like Rempe’s game. He's’s come in, he’s worked really hard, he’s made a lot of noise," Wilson said. "He’s a big fella, we’re gonna bump into each other a few more times here down the road here.”

Rempe also confirmed to the New York Post's Larry Brooks that the confrontation with Wilson surrounded him hitting Ovechkin, though Rempe didn't hold back.

Wilson has yet to fight Rempe, though he challenged the forward to a fight last April in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after he'd injured a couple of teammates. Rempe declined that fight, and Wilson called him out in his exit interview last year.

"I just felt like there's a certain point where he hits enough of your teammates — that are kind of borderline hits — that it doesn't matter whether it's the playoffs or a big game, it doesn't mean anything, it's still hockey, you can still stand up for your teammates," Wilson said, adding of Rempe, "I don't know, maybe that'll be his one chance (to fight me). We'll see."

Rempe did fight Dylan McIlrath earlier this season.