Latest Update: Rangers legend believes Matt Rempe can give New York ’emotional’ spark in Game 2 vs Panthers
Mark Messier thinks Matt Rempe could significantly impact the New York Rangers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals if he returns to the ice.
Mark Messier calls for Matt Rempe to return to the lineup
According to Christian Arnold of the New York Post, Mark Messier wants the Rangers to show more passion after their 3-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 1. Messier believes Matt Rempe could be the player to ignite that spark:
“They gotta get themselves emotional,” Messier remarked. “Maybe they should think about having [Matt] Rempe in the lineup. … I’m not questioning the coach, but I am saying he does get in on the forecheck. He does ground and pound. He does get the crowd involved and the players seem to follow that kind of mindset,” Messier said.
“Right now they’re playing, in my opinion, a little too careful.”
Do the Rangers miss Matt Rempe’s physicality on the defensive end?
Rempe has brought a gritty edge to the Rangers since being called up from the AHL midseason. The 6-9 center has electrified Madison Square Garden with his hard-nosed enforcer style, never backing down from a fight and winning most of them. His 23 hits in the 2024 NHL playoffs are a continuation of the defensive prowess he displayed in 17 regular-season games for the Rangers.
While Messier isn’t advocating for New York to start a brawl on Friday night, he believes that kind of intensity and toughness can help the Rangers figuratively punch the Panthers in the mouth right from the start in Game 2.
Rempe’s mindset can rub off on Rangers’ ranks and give them needed edge in Game 2 vs. Panthers
As Arnold also highlighted, Rempe declared before Game 1 that “I want to be that impact player” for Peter LaViolette’s team, emphasizing that he’s “always hungry, always wants to get better.”
The 21-year-old’s attitude and defensive prowess, combined with his potential to score, can help the Rangers prevent the Panthers from striking first, as they did in the first period on Wednesday night, and stop them from finishing strong with a two-goal burst down the stretch.