Matt Rempe shows ‘huge growth’ with first multi-point game for Rangers
Out of the playoff race in the final week of the 2024-25 season, it would appear the New York Rangers have nothing play for. Don’t tell that to Matt Rempe, though.
Rempe made the most of extended ice time and increased opportunity in the Rangers’ 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Monday night. The 22-year-old recorded his first multi-point game in the NHL, scoring a first-period goal and adding a third-period assist.
The win marked the Rangers’ first multi-goal comeback victory this season — it only took them 81 games to become the final team in the League to do so. It was undoubtedly a frustrating season for the Rangers, especially given the fact that they played one of their best games in a meaningless matchup with the Panthers, who bounced them from the Eastern Conference Final last season.
“We obviously had a very disappointing season,” Rempe said postgame, “We want to go put out a good effort, so (we’re) happy with the win.”
The Panthers took a quick lead in the first period at 2:22 on a power play goal from Sam Bennett, but Rempe got New York on the board not long after.
Sergei Bobrovsky made a save on K’Andre Miller’s wrist shot from near the blue line, but Rempe picked up the rebound while jostling with Seth Jones for positioning at the top of the crease. Rempe flipped the puck into the net and pumped his fist, scoring his third goal of the season — his first since Feb. 25.
“Just went to the net and got the rebound,” Rempe explained with a laugh.
Rempe nearly scored another goal seven minutes into the second period, when the Rangers trailed 2-1. Like a speeding locomotive, Rempe burst up right wing with the puck, cut to the net with a power move and just missed a great scoring chance when Bobrovsky poke-checked the puck off his stick.
Eventually, each team scored twice in the second period, leaving the game tied at three heading into the third period. Vincent Trocheck scored short-handed (with Rempe in the penalty box) to put the Rangers up one at 3:40. As the Panthers attempted to mount a late-period comeback, Rempe helped put the game out of reach.
The towering forward out-muscled Dmitry Kulikov in the neutral zone to pick up a loose puck, then worked his way to the net. Chaos ensued, resulting in a goal from Jonny Brodzinski at 16:31.
“Huge growth for Rempe,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “He’s attacking the ice now with the puck from our end, he’s getting it with a little speed underneath it before our blue line. He’s attacking the neutral zone, he’s going to the net, he’s making plays, he’s going through defenders.”
The goal marked the fourth unanswered score for New York, turning a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 victory. It was a feel-good win for the Rangers and probably the best game of the 58 Rempe’s played in the NHL these past two seasons.
Rempe skated on a line with Chris Kreider for the first time Monday, which was special for Rempe. Kreider and Rempe have gotten close in his time with the Rangers, and the veteran has provided valuable advice along the way for the youngster.
“We were beaking at each other all night and we were having fun,” said Rempe. “We were making plays, skating well. Obviously he’s been a huge mentor to me, so it’s been great. It was a lot of fun playing with him.”
Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from uplifting 5-3 win over Panthers
Matt Rempe turns in solid season after frustrating start
Rempe was a huge (no pun intended) question mark entering the season for the Rangers. He was a lightning rod in the final two months of the 2023-24 season after debuting in the 2024 Stadium Series against the New York Islanders.
While he brought life to the Rangers with big hits and viral fights, he struggled to stay out of the penalty box, was suspended for five games and rarely contributed offensively last season — even though he did score New York’s first goal of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
At the start of this season, it was more of the same for Rempe, who struggled to fit in the lineup. By late December, he had not yet recorded a point and spent much of the season in Hartford of the American Hockey League. Back in the NHL on Dec. 20, he received a major penalty for boarding Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars and was slapped with an eight-game suspension.
In the 36 games since returning from suspension, Rempe has kept his physicality more in check, picked his spots with the odd fight, and proven to be a better all-around player. His skating has vastly improved and he’s more confident making plays with the puck.
Rempe has three goals and five assists, while still credited with 115 hits. His 20.10 hits per 60 minutes is tops on the Rangers.
Simply, Rempe is taking steps in the right direction. He’s improved as the year progressed and is in line for a regular role on the fourth line next season.
With games like the on Monday under his belt, Rempe should be a confident player heading into training camp next fall.
More About:New York Rangers News