Peter Lаvіolette Must Tһіnk He's Smаrter Tһаn Mаrk Messіer Wһen It Comes To Mаtt Remрe

Mark Messier keeps pushing for the Rangers to play Matt Rempe more minutes, but Peter Laviolette just doesn't seem to listen to the Ranger legend.

The onetime Rangers Cup legend and now ESPN commentator, Mark Messier, invented intimidation in modern hockey and now he's articulating the point on the air.

Ever since the playoffs began Messier has been pushing for increased use of the NHL's biggest, heaviest player – New York's Matt Rempe.

Meanwhile, Rempe is getting less ice time than a Zamboni.

Apparently, Mess and Lavvy are not on the same page. Last night Mark again harped on this worthwhile theme; that the Rangers coach is under-utilizing Rempe.

Lavvy proved the point by allowing the big fella only 2:43 of ice time. And what's the point of that? The Maven believes that it's downright ridiculous.

Rempe is useful as a deterrent, as a strong forechecker, and effective goalie-screener.

More to the point, he also can combat a Panthers team armed with ferocious forecheckers like Sam Bennett and mean-spirited scorers such as Matthew Tkachuk.

Rempe's more active presence last night might very well have deterred ex-Ranger Niko Mikkola from treating Igor Shesterkin like a bowling ball. Strike! And Shesty went down before all the cats joined in.

The other key point about Rempe's 57 minutes of NON-ice time is how it messes up the third and fourth lines; which was the case last night.

But, hey, if Lavvy won't listen to Messier nor The Maven, that's his choice and Rempe's misfortune.

The Rangers may not actually be intimidated by the nasty Cats but – make no mistake – The Cats have plenty of intimidators!

And that's just another reason why they're one win away from going to the Finals!