The Devils face the Rangers for the third time this season on Thursday night, and Matt Rempe could return to the lineup.

Returning to practice on Wednesday afternoon following an eight-game suspension, Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe admitted that he must play smarter moving forward.

Matt Rempe has been in this situation before. Just over 10 months ago, back in March, the 6-foot-8 ½ forward served a suspension, acknowledged he made a mistake with a hit — a high elbow flung toward the Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler — and stressed the need to grow from it.

The 6-9 forward finished serving his eight-game suspension and is eligible to return Thursday against the Devils.

Matt Rempe’s eight-game suspension is officially over. For the first time since delivering a devastating hit on Miro Heiskanen, Rempe addressed the media. The 22-year-old did not defend himself as he immediately claimed that his hit on Heiskanen was unacceptable and took full responsibility.

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe is no stranger to controversial hits. The young Blueshirts winger has developed a reputation as one of the league’s more bruising forwards. However, he has also cultivated a reputation as a dangerous player.

Matt Rempe appears to have taken his most recent suspension to heart. Speaking to reporters Wednesday following his eight-game ban for elbowing Dallas