Head coach Peter Laviolette has not given the official phrase, however all indicators level to Matt Rempe changing into the primary participant in historical past to make his NHL debut in an outside recreation.
The 6-foot-8 ¹/₂ ahead has skated on the Rangers fourth line and took part in apply as if he’s within the lineup the final two days.
And but, Laviolette has pumped the brakes on any line of questioning associated to formally declaring Rempe within the Rangers lineup.
“We’re nonetheless working by way of that,” Laviolette mentioned Saturday after the Blueshirts wrapped up their last apply earlier than they take their skills outdoor for the Stadium Collection towards the Islanders at MetLife Stadium.
Possibly it’s to downplay what might be an extremely overwhelming second for a participant who has been on a quick observe recently.
Possibly it was to maintain Rempe motivated throughout these final two practices to show he’s NHL prepared.
Possibly it’s simply to maintain Sunday’s opponent, the Islanders, on their toes.
Rempe could be etched in league historical past if he performs Sunday, and that’s outdoors noise — pun supposed — by itself.
Mixing that in with the truth that it’s a Stadium Collection recreation towards a rival opponent in entrance of a possible sellout crowd of roughly 82,000 at MetLife Stadium, there’s so much to course of.
“That may be fairly unbelievable,” Rempe mentioned after the out of doors apply Friday. “Unreal week. Dream come true.”
The 21-year-old has taken all his reps on the appropriate wing of Barclay Goodrow and Adam Edstrom, who’s slated to skate in his fourth NHL recreation and third in a row with the Rangers on Sunday.
With Rempe at 6-8 ¹/₂, Edstrom listed at 6-7 and Goodrow rounding the unit out at 6-2, the trio makes up one of many tallest fourth strains for the Rangers since John Tortorella put Mike Rupp (6-5), Brian Boyle (6-6) and John Scott (6-8) on a line collectively.
“They’re each large gamers, they skate nicely, they’ve had good seasons up to now,” Laviolette mentioned of Rempe and Edstrom. “They’ll carry a variety of good protection, sensible recreation, physicality, pucks deep, get in on it, forecheck, go to the web. They each have performed nicely. They’ve each had good years.”
Adam Fox, who turned 26 on Saturday, has factors in seven of his final 10 video games (one purpose, 12 assists) after a four-assist effort Thursday.
With 43 factors on the season thus far, Fox joined Rangers assistant coach Phil Housley, Mark Howe and Gary Suter because the fourth U.S.-born defenseman to file at the very least 40 factors in every of his first 5 seasons.
The Rangers are scheduled to be off Monday earlier than they tackle the Stars on the Backyard on Tuesday.
