Friedman adds that the Rangers both want to calm down the situation while also keeping control of the situation, which is why the Rangers did not give anyone permission to speak to Trouba or Kreider.

Anderson, seeking retribution for a previous Trouba hit on Justin Barron the last time both teams met, came out swinging, landing a flurry of punches that left Trouba visibly shak

Captain Jacob Trouba, who has struggled of late and recently heard his name in trade rumors for the second time in six months, fought Montreal’s Josh Anderson early in Saturday’s game. The Canadiens presumably wanted New York’s captain to answer the bell for a hit he made earlier this season on Justin Barron, and he obliged.