Looks like the bad blood from the 4 Nations showdown has spilled over into the NHL. The New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs faced off on February 28, and let’s just say the action wasn’t just on the ice. Matthew Knies came through clutch, breaking a 2-2 tie 6:21 into the third period, sealing a 3-2 victory for the Leafs at Madison Square Garden. The game-winning moment? A slick sequence where Mitch Marner disrupted Igor Shesterkin’s clearing attempt, sending the puck straight to Auston Matthews, who dished it to Knies for a shot that flew past Shesterkin’s blocker.
The goal came just 2:34 after the Rangers had evened things up with a short-handed strike, thanks to a Nicholas Robertson turnover that set up Will Cuylle for a smooth backhand finish off a Mika Zibanejad assist. But even as Toronto celebrated, the crowd at MSG had their own agenda. Boos rang loud and clear, a not-so-subtle continuation of the tension from the 4 Nations. Rangers fans made sure the Leafs felt the heat, proving that some rivalries don’t fade—they just find new arenas to keep the drama alive.
NHL reporter Mollie Walker hit up X with a glimpse into what went down at Madison Square Garden, and let’s just say—it wasn’t just the game bringing the heat. As the Canadian national anthem echoed through the arena for the Maple Leafs, Rangers fans weren’t exactly feeling the moment. Instead, a wave of loud boos rolled through the crowd, making it clear where their loyalty stood.
Mollie didn’t miss a beat, capturing the moment and sharing it with the world. “Pretty loud boos from MSG crowd during Canadian national anthem ahead of #NYR-Maple Leafs…” she posted, summing up the energy in the building. Safe to say, the rivalry was in full swing before the puck even dropped!
Pretty loud boos from MSG crowd during Canadian national anthem ahead of #NYR-Maple Leafs… pic.twitter.com/JviCJkwnjA
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) March 1, 2025
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