To match the physicality and keep the Florida Panthers in check, Matt Rempe should draw into the New York Rangers' lineup for Game 2, says Rob Couch.
The New York Rangers took a beating in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final by the Florida Panthers on the scoresheet and physically.
That must change in Game 2 as the Rangers cannot head to Florida being down 2-0.
It just so happens the Rangers have the answer, and he should be unleashed immediately.
New York must dress Matt Rempe in the second game of the series, as he is the only player who can come into the Rangers' lineup and change the complexion of the game without even playing that much.
Rempe has a very specific set of skills that got him noticed in the NHL right away. He's massive and willing to fight anyone, and he hits. With his size, the hits are thunderous, and the Panthers players should think twice before speeding into corners and holding onto the puck for too long when he's on the ice.
Playing a physical game will force the Panthers to make decisions quicker, which could cause mistakes.
Rempe played 17 games in the regular season for the Rangers, and he had 71 penalty minutes and 50 hits. He fought as many of the NHL's heavyweights as he could and made some huge and sometimes controversial hits.
In the playoffs, he's dressed for seven games up to this point and has four minor penalties and 23 hits but no fights.
With the Rangers winning the first seven games of the playoffs, there wasn't really a need to instigate anything. In the third round, there's now an opportunity to get under the Panthers' skin.
The Panthers are a very physical and gritty team that beats on opponents and grinds them down. This is how they were able to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup final last season and why they are even more dangerous this season. The Panthers outhit the Rangers 38-27 in Game 1.
The only Rangers forwards to make a hit in the opening game of the series were Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, Barclay Goodrow and Chris Kreider. If the depth isn't producing, they have to contribute in other areas, and that didn't happen. Three of the top players were forced to try to get the team going in a 3-0 loss at home.
The Athletic's Arthur Staple reported that it looks like Kaapo Kakko could be a scratch for Game 2, meaning someone else is coming into the lineup. Rempe should be that guy and return to his spot on the fourth line. The big winger has averaged 6:19 of ice time per game in the playoffs, but that is really all that is needed from him. Whether it's a coincidence or not, the Rangers are 6-1 this post-season with him in the lineup and 2-2 without him.
Only four players on the entire Panthers' roster didn't have a hit in Game 1, and two of them were Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. Rempe can help the Rangers stop letting the Panthers check their players without much response.
This decision on whether Rempe should come into the lineup may be the little nudge to getting the Rangers back in the series.