Ryan Reaves dummies Michael Pezzetta in fight then taunts Habs bench

Tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, Ryan Reaves proved why he's still one of the most feared players in the NHL with a hardcore fight.

Halfway through the second while the Leafs had already decided the game, Habs forward Michael Pezzetta tried to spark the team by going after Ryan Reaves. The Leafs enforcer obliged the fight, and proceeded to totally beat the brakes off of Pezzetta. While literally hanging him over the Habs bench, Reaves was raining down with heavy right hooks over and over again. Reaves eventually took Pezzetta down, and skated away while letting the whole Habs bench hear about it. Auston Matthews was caught on the Leafs bench absolutely loving it.




Reaves had a disastrous start to this season after signing a three year contract for $1.35M annually, and was looking like he could be out of the league sooner than later. Instead, in recent weeks Reaves has literally come out swinging, fighting much more - earning both his contract and his place in the Leafs lineup.

It would've been hilarious to even debate early this season, but Reaves reinvigorated physical play and impact from the fourth line may just earn him a spot in the playoff lineup. He's certainly proving how he can still impact the momentum of a game with decisive fights like this.