Nikita Grebenkin goes toe-to-toe with Adam Gaudette, instantly becoming a new fan favourite

First it was notable tough guy Ryan Reaves teaching an Ottawa Senators prospect a lesson, then in the 3rd period, it was Nikita Grebenkin vs Adam Gaudette that got the could on their feet.

It was midway through the third period almost in a tied game 4-4 when Adam Gaudette and Nikita Grebenkin came together along the boards and decided to drop the gloves along the Ottawa Senators bench. Both players were trading punches for a little bit before Grebenkin got the upper hand and finished the fight.

https://x.com/rinkratreport/status/1838023686239945140?s=46

After the fight Grebenkin seemed like he was having the time of his life, pumping up the crowd while skating to the penalty box. He even had an interaction with a fan sitting along the glass while in the box. If that wasn't enough, new Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube couldn't get enough either. After Grebenkin got out of the box, Berube fist bumped him when he got back to the bench.

I think it's safe to say, even though it was the first game of the preseason and the Leafs lost, there was a different level of spirit. If nothing else, the players that needed to show up, did indeed show up and Berube even with the loss, seems like he's already starting to leave his mark on the team.

Don't get me wrong, the Leafs have some glaring issues they've needed to address for years now, but as far as preseason hockey goes, that was a rather entertaining game. That is all you can ask for out of a preseason opener, especially between two rivals. Hockey is back and that is a great thing.