Matt Lempe was benched for Games 3 and 4 of the playoff series against Carolina, but returned to the Rangers’ lineup for Game 5.
He made his presence known with his physical presence, but it wasn’t enough in a decisive third period, as the Rangers lost 4-1 at Madison Square Garden to extend the series.
Rempe took the league by storm early in the season, but his ice time was slow even in the first round of the playoffs against the Capitals.
That lasted the first two games against Carolina, and he didn’t play in the next two games.
But Lempe returned as the series returned to the Garden on Monday, giving the Rangers a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
At the team’s morning skate on Monday, Rempe said coach Peter Laviolette told him not to get discouraged by the lack of ice time.
“I really enjoyed the conversation,” Rempe said. “just [Laviolette] “Don’t read too much into it,” he told me. Don’t overthink it. Just keep working. ”
That’s what Rempe did Monday. He spent 6 minutes, 01 seconds on the ice.
Although he was a physical presence and competed heavily with Tony DeAngelo, the Rangers were unable to create enough chances and were dominated in the final period.
Whether Rempe remains in the lineup for Game 6 will be one of the decisions coach Laviolette will have to make as the Rangers look to erase a losing streak after opening the playoffs with seven straight wins.
“I’m getting used to my minutes,” Lempe said before the game. “I think I’ve been pretty consistent here. …If you haven’t had a shift in a while, there’s even more reason to try to influence your shift. I’m very happy to have those minutes. It helps me understand my game and what I do. I’m not going to miss a shift even though I’m playing. I’m going to do the best I can every shift that I’m given.”
The 6-foot-8 Lempe played in 17 games during the regular season and six playoff games this postseason.
During the regular season, he was given 71 penalty minutes, was sent off three times, and was suspended for four games.
