Matt Rempe helped turn the tide for the Rangers in Game 2 and if Peter Laviolette continues to play the enforcer, Florida may be in trouble.
It literally has taken months for Peter Laviolette to understand what an asset he has but – so far – has refused to exploit.
Whoops! There are signs that Lavvy is, shall we say, beginning to see the light.
Finally – yes, FINALLY – in Game 2 of this sparkling third round series Pistol Pete was forced to give Matt Rempe his well-deserved ice time. FINALLY!
Of course, it wouldn't have happened had linemate Jimmy Vesey not been forced out of the contest with injury.
Had Slim Jim been fit to return, The Remper would be spoon fed his usual dessert of five or six minutes of ice time and Lavvy would do what he always has done – figure that's enough for the very-big guy.
But Vesey could not return and that forced The Beloved Coach to juggle his line up and GUESS WHAT?
Miracle of miracles, Matt's ice time cleared the ten minute mark. (It almost knocked the Mets and Yankees off the headlines. Almost.)
Miracle of more miracles: Lavvy actually gave Rempe a spin in overtime.
Yikes! And The Skating Steeple didn't blow it either. And – as most of the civilized world knows by now – the Rangers won and tied the series.
Of course, the question of the hour is this: Will the beloved coach once and for all release all the reins that strangle this underrated broth of a boy today – not next season?
Answer: Lavvy had better do so; otherwise he just might lose the game and – in the longer run – this nail biting series as well.
Matt did everything right in Game 2 and if you don't believe me, check out what one scout had to say:
"Rempe executes well. He held up a bit on his hits along the boards but this was controlled physicality. He's a smart kid and obviously is enjoying himself and so is his fan club which stimulates the crowd even more."
As far as The Maven is concerned, the most important comment I keep getting is that "Rempe is not dumb. He knows what he's doing and what's expected of him."
Laviolette will keep Matt on the fourth line which is fine with me. But in the limited time that Rempe has been allowed, he's demonstrated more skill and savvy than anyone thought possible from an afterthought call-up.
Finally; Rempe has gotten the Panthers thinking and worrying. When he's on the ice they have no choice but to be aware of the biggest guy in the league.
That constant distraction is what wins hockey games and that's why I foresee the Rangers taking a 2-1 lead in this tournament.
(My prediction, as you must know, is based on Lavvy's savvy. Ergo: using Rempe a lot.)
A whole heckuva lot! Amen.