There was no indication from the NHL that Rangers rookie Matt Lempe, who was ejected in the opening minutes of Thursday’s win over the Devils, would face additional disciplinary action.
The 6-foot-8 winger received a game penalty for hitting Devils forward Nathan Bastian in the head 2:25 into the Rangers’ 5-1 win in Newark. The league hadn’t even announced that Rempe would be subject to a penalty. Hearing with the NHL’s Office of Player Safety.
Rangers manager Peter Laviolette said after the game that Lempe was “just a big man” and that the rookie “never raised his arms” during the collision with Bastian.
The New Jersey forward returned to the game after the hit, but was ejected after struggling with a hit by Rangers captain Jacob Trueba in the second period.
Bastian was placed on injured reserve on Friday.
“Everything is down. Nothing is wrong,” Laviolette said of Lempe’s hit. “I’m glad the players came back and played and didn’t get hurt.”
Rangers fans occupied the Prudential Center late in Thursday’s 5-1 win over the Devils, a rarity at some road arenas in Laviolette’s first season with the team. I realized that that’s not the case.
“Going back to outdoor games, the fans were great.” [against the Islanders at MetLife Stadium], there appeared to be a large number of fans in the building. They were great,” Laviolette said. “Then you go to a road game, and you look up and there’s an ocean of blue.
“They’re passionate, loyal fans. … And what I’ve learned is, they’re not new fans either, dude. This has been passed down from generation to generation. They’re New York fans. I love Rangers and for them to show up on the road like this and fill the buildings on the other side is just amazing.”
Forward Brennan Osman warmed up but did not change for Thursday’s game and was sent back to AHL Hartford.
