Rempe's Physicality: Rangers' Polarizing Rookie Walks Fine Line

Matt Rempe has become the most polarizing player in the Rangers-Capitals playoff series, despite limited ice time. The 6-foot-7 rookie forward is a fan favorite at home for his physical, hard-hitting style but a villain on the road drawing the ire of opponents.

His hit on Trevor van Riemsdyk in Game 3 that knocked the Capitals defenseman out epitomizes Rempe’s play - straddling the line between clean, physical hockey and crossing over into illegal territory. No supplemental discipline was given, but the NHL will be watching Rempe closely.

“I play my game. If it’s more attention, I have no issue with that,” Rempe said. “I’m just trying to go and play my game. If I’m being effective and making big hits and clean hits and hard hits, then people, other teams aren’t going to like that. But I’ve got to make sure it’s clean.”

Rempe is aware he can’t afford any more missteps after being suspended four games in March for an elbow to the head of the Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler. He reviews his hits regularly to try to learn.

“The big thing for me is I’ve got to keep everything compact, that’s what I’m always looking for. No elbows,” he explained. “I’m so big that once I’m committed to a hit, I’ve got to make sure that everything’s tucked.”

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Rempe’s development in managing his physicality has been evident. “If you watched him from when he first got here to when he plays now…it’s just completely different. He’s elevating his game.”

Laviolette acknowedges Rempe’s importance: “We need him on the ice as well for his game, for his size, for his physicality, for his speed.”

The Capitals understandably see things differently regarding the van Riemsdyk hit. “It’s such a fine line…player safety is a big, big issue,” coach Spencer Carbery said. “It’s tight. It’s really, really tight.”

With van Riemsdyk out for Game 4, the Rangers lead the series 3-0 but are wary of Rempe becoming too much of a distraction or detriment with ill-timed penalties. His physical edges are what make him effective.

“In New York there, they love it when I’m playing hard,” Rempe said. “And if you go on the road and they don’t like it, that means you’re playing hard, you’re playing physical. That’s good. I have no issue with that.”

“I play hard, physical and sometimes people don’t like that and there’s lots of different opinions. It does not bother me at all what anyone thinks. Just want to play my game.”

Rempe and the Rangers are counting on him walking that fine line successfully as they look to eliminate the Capitals. His bone-crunching checks and physicality are pivotal - as long as he avoids the selateral.