The New York Rangers recalled their six-foot-eight yard-dog forward Matt Rempe on Tuesday from the AHL Hartford Wolfpack after having served an eight-game suspension. He is officially eligible to return against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

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

Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters that Igor Shesterkin, who has been out since Dec. 31, will start on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils.

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

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

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 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.

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