Greg Wyshynski, ESPNMay 24, 2024, 12:29 PM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
TARRYTOWN – After the New York Rangers’ listless Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers at home to open the Eastern Conference finals, conversation turned to how they could energize themselves and the Madison Square Garden crowd for Friday night’s Game 2.
Specifically, if 6-foot-8 rookie sensation Matt Rempe should return to the lineup.
“If that happens, I want to be buzzing. Anytime you get an opportunity, you want to make the most of it,” said Rempe. “This is awesome. Eastern Conference final. Come on. It’s the best.”
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette wouldn’t say if Rempe was in or out of the lineup for Game 2.
Rempe, 21, last played in Game 5 of their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. He has a goal and an assist in seven playoff games, averaging just 6:19 per game in ice time.
But it’s not how much he plays as it is what happens when he’s on the ice: The crowd chanting his name as Rempe throws his huge frame into hits — and occasionally taking penalties for them. He has 8 PIMs in the playoffs, after amassing 71 penalty minutes in 17 regular season games, averaging 5:38 in ice time per game.
He brings an energy the Rangers lacked in Game 1. Rempe’s status for Game 2 became a national conversation as the Rangers fell to Florida 3-0 and trail in a series for the first time in the playoffs. ESPN analyst Mark Messer endorsed his return.
“Maybe they should think about putting Rempe in the lineup,” said Messier on Wednesday.
The panel on TNT’s broadcast Thursday night debated whether Rempe should return, including Hockey Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Henrik Lundqvist believing he could make an impact.
Rempe, who joined the Rangers in February from AHL Hartford, found those debates surreal.
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable. Those guys are legends. To be talked about by them is pretty damn cool,” he said. “If I get an opportunity, I want to make most of it. I don’t want to let…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40210775/rangers-matt-rempe-awed-greats-calling-him
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-05-24 17:40:06
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