Rangers’ Matt Rempe makes positive impact, cements his place in lineup

Matt Rempe has been controversial for his style of play since he entered the NHL with the New York Rangers last February. But his recent play is changing that narrative.
Since Rempe returned Jan. 9 after an 8-game suspension for boarding and elbowing Dallas Stars defensemen Miro Heiskanen on Dec. 20, the 6-foot-9 forward appears to have learned some hard lessons about his reckless play style. As a result of cleaning up his on-ice game, Rempe has slowly been rewarded with more ice time and earned greater trust from coach Peter Laviolette.
Rampe has 11 penalty minutes in nine games since the suspension, including a fight with Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj. He’s played physically and stepped up in his role as enforcer against Xhekaj, but he’s also been a force on the forecheck and a steady presence in the defensive zone. Rempe is plus-5 since returning and actually hasn’t been a minus player in any of his 14 games this season, due in part to his minimal ice time. Still, that’s a good stat.
“I’m thinking through it more and thinking through the game more,” Rempe told Mollie Walker of the New York Post.
Rempe also has all three of his points this season in the past eight games, including a goal and assist in the past three. Rempe’s goal was scored against the Ottawa Senators on a beautiful pass by linemate Adam Edstrom.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette stated postgame that the Rempe goal sequence “Was good … I thought he showed real good poise when he got in tight and made a really nice play.”
Rempe’s return to the Rangers lineup has coincided with a fourth-line resurgence by linemates Sam Carrick and Edstrom. Since the Jan. 9 game against the New Jersey Devils, Carrick has seven points, including an overtime game-winning goal against the Devils. Edstrom has three goals and one assist in the same span.
The fourth line has also maintained possession in the offensive zone for long stretches, allowing for opportunities, even if they aren’t going in the net. Additionally, Rempe, Carrick and Edstrom have been an effective deterrent to opposing teams. With Rempe being one of most intimidating players in the sport and Edstrom standing 6-foot-6, plus Carrick’s willingness to play gritty and drop the gloves, this is becoming a line to fear.
“I think [this approach] makes me more effective but I’m also starting to feel more comfortable with the puck, if that makes sense,” Rempe told Walker. “I’m trying to make more plays and that’s just me trying to get more comfortable at the NHL level with the puck.
“I take a breath, I can hold onto it more and use my body more and make a play. I think my skills work have started to translate. I still have a long, long way to go but I’m starting to notice my improvement in that area and that’s great.”
The numbers on Matt Rempe don’t lie

In Rempe’s 31 regular-season games dating to last season, the Rangers are 22-5-4. Even with Rempe hardly ever playing more than 10 minutes a game, the evidence is clear that the team is better with him in the lineup.
Former Ranger Brian Boyle agrees with the sentiment. stating on the Up in the Blue Seats Podcast that “[Rempe] is so effective. And he doesn’t even have to do anything.”
In this way, it’s clear that the mere presence of Matt Rempe is enough for the Rangers to play better.
After a scrum broke out behind the Rangers net against Ottawa on Jan. 21, it was Rempe who stepped in after Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin took some swings at Senators captain Brady Tkachuk.
After the game, Rempe stated that he was nervous, “Because I don’t want anything to happen to him [Shesterkin].”
Having the awareness to step in to rescue a teammate, especially an elite No. 1 goalie, after the whistle shows growth and maturity from Rempe’s game that hasn’t been seen before. He remains a physical presence and a willing participant, but he’s not out there looking for trouble.
With only six games before the break for the 4 Nations Face-off in February, Rempe and the Rangers’ fourth line should be looking to continue their impressive run. While their offensive contributions have been a huge positive as the Rangers try to claw their way back into the playoff picture, it’s clear that further attention to defensive detail may be what puts them over the top.
And, it appears, Rempe is the catalyst.
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