Why Rangers 4th line of Matt Rempe, Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom is on the rise
When you think of New York Rangers forwards Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe, goal scoring probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But the Rangers fourth line has scored four goals in the past three games, helping fuel a 2-0-1 stretch.
In fact, New York’s fourth liners accounted for more than half (four of seven) of New York’s goals in the past three games.
On Tuesday, Carrick and Edstrom provided the offense in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Each scored a goal, with Carrick’s coming when killing a penalty. It was almost enough to carry the Rangers to victory, but they surrendered the tying goal with 1:13 remaining in the third period and Devon Toews’ tally with 37 seconds to go in overtime.
Still, the level of contribution from their bottom forward unit – particularly when contrasted with its meager playing time – could prove to be a big positive in a season that’s seen more than its share of disappointments.
The trio of Edstrom, Carrick and Rempe controlled possession at 5-on-5 in their six minutes of ice time together. Carrick continued his outstanding recent play, grabbing a loose puck on the penalty kill and racing out on a breakaway before beating Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood with a nifty move to knot the game 1-1 in the first period.
Midway through the second, Rempe’s hard work along the boards paid off when Carrick found another free puck in the defensive zone and carried it up ice, then hit Edstrom on the tape to send him in alone on Blackwood. The 6-foot-7, 234-pound winger finished the break to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead that nearly held up.
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Matt Rempe’s return with newfound awareness could lift 4th line
The Rangers had to settle for a point and a 4-1-2 mark in their past seven games in a nevertheless disheartening defeat, the latest in a season full of them. Still, their game continued to come around, with a renewed team-wide commitment to tight defense and attention to detail evident. If the Rangers are indeed trending upward after a brutal 4-15-0 stretch, it’s contributions such as the ones coming from their currently configured fourth line that have made a key difference.
“They were good. They’ve been good,” coach Peter Laviolette said after the loss. “Sam’s playing really hard, Eddie’s playing well, contributing, so they had a big night.”
Though Rempe didn’t score a goal, he delivered two hits and was a plus-1. The big guy, who played in his third game since an eight-game suspension for boarding and elbowing Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, appears to have settled on solely playing sound hockey. Perhaps sensing that his NHL career won’t last long if he continues to deliver huge hits that result in time spent with the NHL Department of Player Safety, Rempe has looked hyper-focused on developing into a solid NHL player since returning.
That’s probably just what the Rangers need from him at this point. Like his line, Rempe has been able to provide outsized value in limited ice time throughout his incredibly eventful 36 career games in a Blueshirt. It’s worth remembering that before being ejected for his crushing of Heiskanen on Dec. 20, he drew three minor penalties from the Stars and had numerous scoring chances when he buzzed his huge frame around the net.
The 22-year-old picked up an assist, his first point of the season on Edstrom’s goal Saturday in Vegas against the Golden Knights. Rempe’s been strong on the forecheck and diligent defensively, though Laviolette does shelter him and his minutes.
Rempe epitomizes the fourth line in that it seems clear that there’s room for growth. With the Rangers going back to the Twin Towers of Rempe and Edstrom, a model that lasted briefly last season, they have two wingers with skill sets uncommon in such big players and appear to have a chance to establish themselves as a bottom-six force. Centered by the veteran Carrick and his rising game, Laviolette might just have something longer-term to work with here.
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Rangers bottom forward unit dominated possession in Denver
Edstrom, Carrick and Rempe posted a 59.9 expected goal share against the Avalanche, per Natural Stat Trick. Laviolette was still sending them out for shifts midway through the third with the Rangers leading, albeit in short bursts.
It’s entirely possible that Rempe won’t be able to help himself, and will again run through an opposing player using his surprising speed that turns him into a runaway train. Career journeyman Carrick might not be able to maintain the superlative level of play that has resulted in him scoring three goals in the past six games. Edstrom looks to be on a steady road upward with goals in consecutive games, but is still something of an unknown with just 54 career games under his belt.
Yet the unique trio appears to offer at least the potential to be something more impactful than a change-of-pace Crash Line. The level of trust in the three players from the coaching staff is increasing. That’s good, because as the Rangers work to crawl out of the hole they put themselves in with that disastrous 19-game stretch, they’re going to need all the help they can get.
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