Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG It's the biggie in Beantown How big? This BIG! And I'll tell you why? 1. At long last, The Biggest Blaster, Matt Rempe, returns to the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/game-day/-new-york-rangers-hurricanes-are-on-your-tail-shesterkin-jarvis-matt-rempe] lineup at Boston tonight. (Already, The Maven feels TD Garden shaking.) Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzU2Njk0ODg0OTUxNTQ0/usatsi_22680411.jpg] 2. This is a two-strong-team "Battle For First Place. (Deny that if you can, Peter Laviolette; Ye Olde Denier. And The Maven won't believe you even if you do.) 3. It will be Chapter Two of the ongoing Rangers Soap Opera, "Can They Possibly Survive Without Two Defensive Rocks, Jacob Trouba ? Lindgren? The Maven pulled out his famed Thought Recording Machine and learned that 99.44 % of Rangerville Citizens regard Man Mountain Rempe's return as The Most Vital of Stories. And guess, what? So does the most legendary Rangers of them all; Mark Messier. The Mess is so deeply concerned about reopening Rempe's Rumpus Room that Mark went far-far out of his way to dispatch an on-air missive which landed on Instagram. "I'm all in for Rempe," enthuses Mess, "he was sorely missing (during his four-game suspension and last home game.) He can get on the forecheck and he's really able to backcheck. He's able to get up and down the ice." [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C4VoPOagh7X[/embed] Mind you, this man who led New York to its 1994 Stanley Cup has been following The Rempe Follies with an Argus eye. What's most important is that Messier is talking pure hockey playing not impure fight-playing. He's also touting Rempe as a fourth-liner who'll be a plus factor for coach Peter Laviolette once the playoffs begin. More Mess: "Rempe is the kind of player who can take away the will of the other team. He's got that knack." During his stint in the NHL sin bin, Rempe contemplated how to be a better linemate alongside Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow. We know he's got skill but -- as his suspension has proven that his high elbows have a tendency to hit heads. That said, the Bruins are not exactly running for cover; especially 6-3, 214 pound center Trent Frederic who treats troublesome foes as interlopers on his private pond. As for the Rangers quest for first place; not to worry assures Lavvy. "We don't talk about first overall," the coach insists, although The Maven doesn't believe him. "We just want to beat a very good team." They tried and lost to Winnipeg; beat Boston and The Maven will give Lavvy a wooden medal. Because....because: This is a BIGGIE! And, if you don't believe The Maven; ask THE REMPER!
