Wednesday night was eventful at the world’s most famous arena. A line brawl broke out at the start of the game played between the Devils and Rangers.

The most anticipated fight between heavyweights Kurtis MacDermid and Matt Rempe didn’t disappoint. The two went toe to toe exchanging blows for a few minutes at center ice. Both knew it was going to happen.

“MacDermid was like, ‘We’re going right now.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know. I think there’s a reason why we’re starting.’”, Rempe told reporters after Thursday’s practice.

“He’s a real tough customer. That guy is a big boy. Strong, been one of the toughest guys in the league for a long time, and he has his job to do. You gotta respect that.”

MacDermid changed his tune on Rempe after the game in the Devils’ locker room.

While the fans got what they wanted to see, nobody could’ve predicted that there would be five fights all going at once. When the puck was dropped, Jimmy Vesey took on Curtis Lazar first. Since they dropped the gloves before anyone else, they were allowed to stay in the game. The other eight participants, including Rempe and MacDermid, were tossed from the game due to the rules.

“I thought I was going to have a good 5 minutes in (the penalty box) with the fellas. We were going to be cuddled up in there, getting cozy and having a good time… I had no idea that was a rule. I was like, ‘Dang it. My TOI didn’t go up that game.’”, Rempe said.

Nobody had K’Andre Miller fighting John Marino. Jacob Trouba battled Chris Tierney. Barclay Goodrow went up in size to take on Kevin Bahl. It was fight night at The Garden.

“The fans got what they wanted out of that,” Brendan Smith pointed out. “Good atmosphere, good game. … It gets the blood boiling, the fans enjoy it.

“I think everybody got their dollar’s worth. And it’s an expensive building.”

Smith is no stranger to playing on the other side. He was a well-respected Ranger for over four seasons. He played the same honest, gritty, hard-nosed game he does now for the Devils. He understands how much energy MSG can have when the fans are revved up.

“I’ve never seen that, I don’t know if that’s ever happened,” Chris Kreider said following getting the game-winner on the power play with 4:57 left in regulation.

“To have 80 percent of them then be shown the gate, it’s just a weird dynamic.”

Even the coaches got heated. Upset with Devils interim coach Travis Green, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette went over to the glass between the benches and had some choice words.

“Our guys were reacting to what was happening on the ice,” said Laviolette, who admitted that it was the emotions of the game. “I thought they did a fantastic job. All five of them.”

What didn’t get lost is how the remaining 14 skaters stepped up in the absence of the four players who were ejected on each side. That forced the coaches to juggle their lines and double shift key defensemen.

It made for a unique back and forth game. The Rangers went from up 2-0 on goals by Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere to down 3-2 on Devils’ goals from Ondrej Palat, Brendan Smith, and Nico Hischier. They then rallied for the final two goals in the deciding third period when Kaapo Kakko tied it and Kreider won it.

There also was plenty of excitement around the league. The game was broadcast on TNT. Former Ranger Henrik Lundqvist couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for the line brawl. He was clapping in the studio.

There was a lot of love from hockey insiders. Even if not everyone loved seeing the fracas, it’s part of the game. When players fight, fans get out of their seats to watch the action. On March 19, 2012, when the Devils and Rangers clashed similarly at center ice, I heard the crowd going crazy and raced out of the restroom to see Stu Bickel take on Ryan Carter, Brandon Prust battle Cam Janssen, and Mike Rupp fight Eric Boulton.

There was blood everywhere. It took a while for the maintenance workers to clean up the ice. That was memorable.

Lundqvist was part of that game. Janssen sarcastically pointed to him when he went to the penalty box. Similar to Wednesday night, the Rangers won the game.

Unlike that season, when the Devils got revenge by eliminating the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals, there won’t be a rematch in the postseason. The Devils are headed for a disappointing playoff miss. The Rangers remain atop the league with 106 points. Their next game is at Detroit tomorrow night.

Things will be back to normal. The Rangers lead the Bruins and Stars by a point for first overall. Following Friday night, they’ll return home to host the Canadiens on Sunday night. It’ll be a special pregame ceremony with the Steven McDonald Award presented to the Ranger who went above and beyond the call of duty. Vincent Trocheck deserves the prestigious award. Panarin is the Team MVP. We’ll see how the fans voted.