Matt Rempe gets benched after terrible game one versus Carolina

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Graham Montgomery
May 6, 2024 (7:47 PM)

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The New York Rangers took an early lead against the Carolina Hurricanes last night as they look to advance to the Eastern Conference final. However, rookie forward Matt Rempe did not have a great game, potentially leading to him being a scratch.

Rempe was a regular participant with the Rangers at their practice this afternoon, but he ended up staying on the ice after everyone else left, staying on with the rest of the scratches. While this does not guarantee anything, it is a hint that head coach Peter Laviolette may be considering making a lineup change for game two against the Canes. After all, Rempe only played 7 minutes and did take a penalty.

Looks like #NYR F Matt Rempe is going to be a scratch and may be out tomorrow for Game 2 vs #CauseChaos

Hockey analyst and media personality Pete Blackburn called the penalty a 'reputation call,' implying that if it was any other player, it would not have been called. To be fair to Blackburn, this was a pretty questionable call with Jordan Staal skating backwards into Rempe, effectively shoving him into the goaltender. Furthermore, Freddie Andersen went down quite easy.

Matt Rempe is getting so many stupid reputation calls that I'm simply forced to root for him at this point

Blackburn was far from the only one who thought it was a questionable call. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette was enraged by the call, visibly screaming at the refs as Rempe headed to the box.

Peter Laviolette is PISSED at the Rangers bench after Matt Rempe is penalized for goalie interference

#NYR | #CauseChaos

That being said, Rempe also received a couple of soft calls in their first round matchup against the Washington Capitals. Therefor, it seems like the refs are looking to make calls on him. As a result, it may be best for the Rangers to keep him in the press box.