Matt Rempe had logged nearly 60 minutes of ice time in his nine playoff games entering the Rangers’ Game 5 showdown with the Panthers Thursday night at the Garden and had been in exactly zero fights.
That’s saying something in the way of discipline for the rookie who stands 6-foot-8 ½ and was in five fights in his first seven NHL games.
And that’s OK.
Rempe’s role with the Rangers in the playoffs has become less the enforcer and more the hockey player on their fourth line.
Make no mistake: Rempe’s here for his physicality.
Matt Rempe has become less of an enforcer during the postseason for the Rangers
But in the playoffs, where every power play is precious and a possible game-changer, that physicality has had to be refined a bit from his hellbent regular-season routine.
What Rempe did well when he was called up to the big club in February — fight — is not what he’s being called upon to do in the playoffs.
And, the way Peter Laviolette has been using him, it’s clear the Rangers coach is gaining more trust in him with every shift he takes.
Rempe, in the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 on Tuesday in Florida, had a handful of scoring chances.
Though none was cashed in, those chances didn’t go unnoticed.
“I notice it in practice [and] I notice it in games,’’ Laviolette said before Thursday’s game at the team’s morning skate. “He’s still a young player that’s building toward [more offensive production] and working towards that. The more he plays and the more experience he gets, the more comfortable he’ll get with that.
“When I watch him out here from when I watched him in training camp, there’s a big jump, a significant jump. That has to do with playing at a certain level, practicing at a certain speed. All of that factors into what you become comfortable with.’’
Matt Rempe delivers a hit during Game 2 of the Rangers’ Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers
Rempe, a happy-go-lucky 21-year-old living the time of his life, said Thursday before the game he’s particularly relishing this series because of the opponent.
Florida is one of the biggest, most physical and antagonistic teams in the league.
The Panthers play constantly on the edge, and Rempe is reveling in it.
“It’s my favorite team to play against so far,’’ he said. “I love it. So much energy against them. Even if I’m on the bench [Panthers players] are chirping at me, giving it right back to me. It keeps you in the game. There’s lots of competitors on their side and that’s what I like. I like guys that are going to go back and forth — chirps, little scrums, everything. I like all of it.’’
Rempe has done a good job of not only staying out of being drawn into fights but staying out of the penalty box.
He has 10 minutes in penalties in his nine games, and a couple of those calls earlier on appeared to be questionable.
“I don’t want to take penalties,’’ he said. “That’s the last thing I want to do. So, I’m trying to be careful. Not careful. That’s the wrong word. When I’m playing, I want to play all-out, but I’ve got to make sure my arms are tucked, and I’m doing a better job with that.’’
Matt Rempe has collected just 10 penalty minutes across his postseason games for the Rangers
Rempe had one playoff goal, the first the Rangers scored in the postseason, and was plus-2 in his nine games entering Thursday.
“I think I’ve improved, I’ve gotten better … better defensively, better in my all-around game,’’ Rempe said. “I think it’s showing. I’m getting better with the puck, skating better. I thought I had some good looks [in Game 4], I thought we created some offense.
“I want to add more and more to my game, add to the toolbox. I know it’s going to take time, because I’ve got a lot to work on, but I thought I had some good chances last game. I’m trying to make plays, trying to make things happen, trying to be a more well-rounded player.’’
As he does, Rempe continues to be the unquestioned fan favorite at the Garden, which chants his name every time he’s on the ice.
“It’s kind of surreal hearing them chant,’’ he said. “It’s like a dream. It gives you energy. It makes you want to go out there and blow someone up.’’
