Head coach Peter Laviolette hasn’t given any official word, but all signs point to Matt Lempe becoming the first player in history to make his NHL debut in an outdoor game.
The 6-foot-8 forward skates on the Rangers’ fourth line and has practiced as if he were in the lineup the past two days.
Nevertheless, Laviolette put the brakes on any questions regarding officially declaring Rempe to the Rangers lineup.
“We’re still in the game,” Laviolette said Saturday after the Blueshirts completed their final practice before taking their talents outdoors for the Stadium Series against the Islanders at MetLife Stadium. We are currently working on the issue,” he said.
Perhaps that’s to downplay what can be an incredibly overwhelming moment for players who have been on a fast track these days.
Perhaps it was to keep Rempe motivated during these last two practices to prove he was NHL-ready.
Probably to warn Sunday’s opponent, the Islanders.
If Lempe plays on Sunday, he will be etched in league history, but that in itself is outside noise — just kidding.
Add to that the fact that it’s a Stadium Series game against a rival in front of a potentially sold-out MetLife Stadium crowd of approximately 82,000 people, and it’s a lot to process. be.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Rempe said after Friday’s outdoor practice. “An unrealistic week. A dream come true.”
The 21-year-old will play in his fourth and third consecutive NHL game against the Rangers on Sunday, taking all the responsibilities on the right wing with Barclay Goodrow and Adam Edstrom.
Rempe (6-8 1/2), Edstrom (6-7) and Goodrow (6-2) round out the team, making the trio the best choice for the Rangers as coach John Tortorella takes over Mike Rupp (6-5). It forms one of the tallest fourth rows since it was installed. ), followed by Brian Boyle (6-6) and John Scott (6-8).
“They’re both big players, they skate well, and they’ve had good seasons so far,” Laviolette said of Rempe and Edstrom. “They can bring a lot of good defense, smart games, physicality, deep pucks, getting into it, the forecheck and the net. They’ve both played well. They’ve both had good years.”
Adam Fox, who turned 26 on Saturday, has scored in seven of his last 10 games (one goal, 12 assists) after recording four assists on Thursday.
With 43 points this season, Fox is the fourth Rangers assistant coach to score at least 40 points in each of his first five seasons, joining fellow Rangers assistant coaches Phil Housley, Mark Howe and Gary Suter. He is an American-born defenseman.
The Rangers have Monday off and are scheduled to face the Stars at the Garden on Tuesday.
