The New York Rangers will be without their muscle for a while.

Enforcer Matt Rempe is out “longer term” as he deals with an upper-body injury suffered in a fight against San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves, head coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, centre Vincent Trocheck resumed skating as he works back from an upper-body injury suffered on Oct. 9, per Sullivan.

After sizing each other up and grappling in the game earlier in October, Reaves’ helmet fell off, and then he was able to knock off Rempe’s with his next right. The two exchanged blows for more than 20 seconds with the crowd buzzing.

Rempe got Reaves’ jersey over his head and was striking at Reaves’ head when linesmen Shandor Alphonso and Matt MacPherson broke it up.

“He’s a big boy and you have to fight guys like tha

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