Here is a little scouting report on the Panthers for the Rangers going into the Eastern Conference Final.
Beware, Brother, Beware!
That's The Maven's advice to Messrs. Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Kaapo Kakko, Chris Kreider and Vinny Trocheck; just to name a few worthy warriors.
The soon-to-be-marauding Panthers will invade the world's most famous arena and advance warning is not welcoming. While the ferocious Floridians may not tear up MSG – they will want to get their claws into the Rangers.
No, this is not the capricious Canes; this IS a mean-spirited hockey club sprinkled with a few Filthy McNastys that threaten to make life miserable for the artistic Blueshirts.
My sunrise, Florida spy, author and long-time hockey critic Al Greenberg grew up in Brooklyn and remains a loyal Rangers fan even though he lives in Dixie. He has completed a got investigation of the Cats.
Greenie feels for the good and welfare of the New Yorkers.
Big Al suggests that the "BEWARE" sign be affixed to a few Panthers -- for safety's sake. (Take it away, Big Al.)
"You remember Claude Lemieux, don't you?" reminded Greenberg.
I was insulted. "Do you think I'm suffering from amnesia?" I shot back. Lemieux was one of the most successful, sneaky, dirty, filthy – but great – hockey players there ever was."
Greenberg: "Well, Florida's Sam Bennett is a reincarnation of Claude Lemieux; only a better player. He's chippy and sneaky and dirty; the kind every team needs in the playoffs."
I figured that was enough for what I'm paying my super spy but Big Al had just started.
"While you're at it, keep your eye on Ryan Lomberg. He may be small but he'll fight anyone. That's why he's one of the favorites in Sunrise. And another one is Matthew Tkachuk. He may not be a brawler but he's a supreme agitator.
"And, by the way, you saw what he did to David Pastrnak in the Bruin series. (No Lady Byng Trophy again for Matty.)"
Greenberg also said we should check out ex-Ranger Niko Mikkola who's rated fifth among Florida blueliners. "He's physical," Big Al added, "but quietly efficient."
Here's the deal: For sure the Panthers are going to try their I.Q. (Intimidation Quotient) on Peter Laviolette's non-belligerent aces.
With that in mind, Pistol Pete has no choice but to dress Matt Rempe and let the blood fall where it may.
The Panthers are ready-made for a ruckus and The Remper is the best antidote to bullying since Luke Skywalker tamed Darth Vader in "Star Wars."
With that in mind – and if I'm Lavvy – I'd start Rempe on the fourth line and give him a minimum of ten minutes of ice time.
By that time, Panthers coach Paul Maurice might be whispering down his bench: "Beware, brothers, beware!