"Deserves a suspension" "Clean hit": NHL fans divided over Matt Rempe’s massive hit that resulted in injury to Trevor Van Riemsdyk

New York Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe's massive hit on Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor Van Riemsdyk has sparked debate among NHL fans, with some calling for a suspension and others defending it as a clean hit.

The incident occurred during the Rangers' 3-1 win in Game 3 when Rempe caught Van Riemsdyk high on the head as he finished playing the puck behind the net. Van Riemsdyk had just passed the puck when Rempe stepped up for the thunderous hit, making primary contact with his head.

Van Riemsdyk was visibly shaken and had to exit the game with an upper-body injury. Rempe was called for interference in this play by the officials.

On social media, fans were split on whether this was a fair hockey hit or worthy of supplemental discipline.

One fan commented:

"A BLATANT HEAD SHOT that caused an injury deserves a suspension!"

Another fan commented:

"Clean hit."

Here are some fan reactions to Matt Rempe's hit:

"Puck nowhere to be seen, point of contact is the head and sends his head into the boards. Clean hit my ass," one fan tweeted.

"Bro is just not allowed to hit anymore I guess. They’re gunna call him for anything. Gotta know that and be smarter than this," another fan tweeted.

"Obviously 🙄 good call puck is nowhere near this guy," another fan wrote.

"Should’ve been a major and it is a sure suspension coming," a user wrote.

Hits have injured several Capitals defensemen in recent weeks. Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen and Vincent Iorio are out injured after receiving big hits.

Matt Rempe's New York Rangers 3-1 win against the Capitals

The New York Rangers took a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Washington Capitals with a 3-1 victory in Game 3 at Capital One Arena on Friday night.

After John Carlson gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 5:34 of the first period with a wrist shot from the high slot, the Rangers quickly responded. Chris Kreider tied the game just 34 seconds later, tipping in Mika Zibanejad's point shot to make it 1-1.

The Rangers then took control of the game with a short-handed goal by Barclay Goodrow at 6:08 of the second period. Vincent Trocheck led a 2-on-1 rush and passed across to Goodrow, who beat Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren with a low wrist shot from the slot.

New York extended its lead to 3-1 on a power-play goal by Vincent Trocheck at 15:22 of the second period. Trocheck worked a give-and-go with Zibanejad before firing a one-timer from the slot past Lindgren.

Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin was solid in the net, making 28 saves to secure the victory. Lindgren stopped 19 of the 22 shots he faced.