It only lasted three seconds, but Matt Lempe finally showed some offensive progress. He started talking in the preseason after a summer job and continued to double down even as he was in and out of the Rangers' lineup and back and forth with AHL Hartford.
Over time, these will help him transform into more than a physical fourth-line forward.
Early in the third period on Tuesday, Rempe found space alongside Adam Edstrom on the rush, collected a pass, and moments later backhanded the puck into the Senators' net to give the Rangers a three-point lead. gave. It was Lempe's third goal of his career and his first of the season.
A massive 6-foot-8-and-a-half winger, that's not typically part of his job description. He is far from a 20 goal scorer.
At this pace, he's far from reaching five goals.
But Rempe still wants to change that.
Fifteen hours after his goal, he virtually had the ice to himself during optional practice before Thursday's home game against the Flyers.
He worked on using his body to protect the puck and create chances. He focused on skating. Really, everything revolved around offense.
“I want to be a really good power forward one day,” Rempe said. “I think it's still going to be a work in progress.”
His vision hasn't changed after a trip to AHL Hartford, inconsistent playing time and an eight-game suspension disrupted the flow of his second season.
Rempe has been in the lineup for the past seven games, and the Blueshirts have earned one point in each game, with only 11 minutes of penalty time, all of which have come within the past two games.
He avoided a hefty fine. He missed a hit that was reported to the Office of Player Safety and could lead to further suspension.
And with the season just beginning to find its rhythm and consistency, Rempe hinted that he expects to have an impact on the offensive end as well.
“There's no question he's gotten better, and there's no question he still has work to do to get better,” Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said. No,” he said.
Lempe exuded caution when he returned from suspension.
He called himself a “marked man.” New violations, reckless checks and another hearing with the league could lead to a “substantial suspension.” Rempe knew he needed to position himself. But he also knew he couldn't afford to lose his physical advantage. Contributions in attack were rare and were the core of his role.
Lempe has had 17 hits since returning, rarely getting into the penalty area, but he has suffered from Sunday's fight with Arbor Shekaj and goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who was hit by Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk against the post. The only exception was a 4-minute rough play while defending. on tuesday.
“I don't think we got a bad penalty,” Lempe said. I’m trying to be a little smarter and use my stick a little more, but I still want to be very physical. And I think I've done that. ”
And on Tuesday, he fell 16 seconds short of his second-best on-ice record of 9 minutes, 26 seconds.
Lempe's first goal in Philadelphia 11 months ago unfolded only when the puck bounced off his shin and was sucked into the net. In the Rangers' playoff opener last year, Rempe scored his first goal when a puck popped out from behind the net and he tapped it in. But this time it wasn't just a goal in the right place at the right time.
Rempe knows the offensive layer of his game is still a work in progress.
That's why he turned the optional skates into essentially a solo workout. Laviolette said the young players are “always learning.” Lempe already has a lot to learn given his complicated history with Rangers.
At various points, you may start to see results little by little. Goal here. Assist there. A smart approach to hitting.
And when it happened Tuesday, Rempe heard the Garden crowd shouting his name again and captured the motivation behind why he wants to be “much bigger than me.”
“He feels that way here in New York,” Laviolette said of the reaction. “He's so loved by the city's fans, his teammates and what he brings to the table. … From a confidence standpoint, it makes you feel good to feel like you can contribute too, and he does too. He's done well. He's working hard. He's trying to get better.
“I saw improvement and he influenced the game as much as he did. [Tuesday]”
