Matt Rempe had logged roughly 60 minutes on the ice in nine playoff games leading up to Thursday night’s Game 5 showdown between the Rangers and Panthers at the Garden, without any fights.
That’s a lot of discipline for a rookie who stands 6-foot-8 1/2 and has been involved in five brawls in his first seven NHL games.
And that’s okay.
Rempe’s role with the Rangers in the playoffs has been more of a fourth-line hockey player than an enforcer.
Don’t get me wrong: Rempe is here for the physical strength.
But in the playoffs, where every power play is valuable and potentially game-changing, that physical toughness needed to be refined a bit from the frantic routine of the regular season.
What Rempe did well when he was called up by the big club in February – fighting spirit – is not what you want in the playoffs.
And looking at the way head coach Peter Laviolette has used him, it’s clear the Rangers coach has more faith in him with each shift.
Rempe had several chances to score in the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 on Tuesday in Florida.
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None of the opportunities resulted in goals, but they were not missed.
“I realized this when I actually tried it. [and] “You can see it in the game,” Laviolette said during the team’s morning practice before Thursday’s game. “He’s a young guy. [more offensive production] And he’s working towards that. The more he plays and the more experience he gets, the more comfortable he’ll be with it.
“When you see him here compared to when you saw him in training camp, there’s a big jump, a big jump. It has to do with playing at a certain level and practicing at a certain speed. All of that affects what you get used to.”
Rempe, an optimistic 21-year-old who is having the time of his life, said Thursday before the game that he’s especially enjoying this series because of the opponents.
Florida is one of the biggest, most physical and hostile teams in the league.
The Panthers always play with a sense of tension, and Rempe enjoys that.
“They’re my favorite team I’ve ever played against,” he said. “I love them. There’s so much energy when you play against them, even if I’m on the bench. [Panthers players] “Everybody calls out to me and calls out to me. That’s what keeps me going. They have a lot of competition on their side, and that’s what I like about them. I like players who call out, who have little scrums, who do everything. I like it all.”
Rempe did a great job of not only staying out of the scuffle but also staying out of the penalty box.
He has received 10 penalty minutes in nine games, but some of his first-half decisions were questionable.
“I don’t want to take a penalty kick,” he said. “It’s the last thing I want to do. So I try to be careful. I’m not careful. That’s the wrong word. I want to play hard when I’m playing, but I’ve got to keep my arm in. I’m doing better in that regard.”
Rempe had one goal in the playoffs, the Rangers’ first in the postseason, and was plus-2 in the nine games prior to Thursday.
“I think I’ve improved. I’ve gotten better defensively, my game in general has gotten better,” Rempe said. “I think it’s showing. I’m getting better with the puck, I’m skating better. I think I had some good chances.” [in Game 4]I thought we had launched an attack.
“I just want to add more and more to my game and add to my toolbox. I know it’s going to take time because I have a lot to work on, but I thought I had some good chances in the last game. I’m just trying to make plays, make things happen and become a more well-rounded player.”
Rempe remains an absolute fan favorite at the Garden, and fans chant his name every time he’s on the ice.
“It’s kind of surreal to hear them chanting,” he said. “It’s like a dream. It gives you energy. It makes you want to go out there and blow somebody up.”
