The New York Rangers have been impressive in the playoffs, but with some key players getting healthy, standout rookie Matt Rempe might see his postseason run come to an end.
Matt Rempe has been one of the biggest stories in the NHL this season with his physical, fearless play. He never backed down from a challenge and became a fan favorite. As the Rangers entered the playoffs, there was hope that his physicality would give the team an edge. While his physical presence has been valuable, his overall play hasn't been as strong.
In their semi-final win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Rempe played just 6:18 minutes. Now, with Blake Wheeler and Filip Chytil returning from injuries, it seems likely that Rempe will be scratched for the rest of the postseason.
Of course, injuries can happen at any time, so Rempe is staying ready. He was even seen warming up closely to Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk in game one.
During the regular season, Rempe brought energy to the Rangers, never shying away from a challenge. At just 21 years old, he still has plenty of room to grow. Being part of the team during the playoffs will undoubtedly help his development. Rempe remains positive and understands his role and areas for improvement:
«Everything, what I've done my whole life, is outwork people and that's what I want to do,» Rempe said via the New York Post. «I know I got a long way to go. I've just been always playing catchup, per se, the last couple of years and here I want to exceed expectations every single day. I got a lot of work to do now.»
For now, it appears Rempe's playoff time is over, but if the Rangers need a big, physical boost, we might see him back on the ice.
