The treatment of Matt Rempe by officials continued to draw attention in Game 1 of the second round, and Rangers coach Peter Laviolette tried his best before Tuesday night’s Game 2 against Carolina to toe the line between acknowledging the 6-foot-8 ½ big man is getting officiated differently without dipping into territory that might draw a fine from the league.
“I think he’s a guy that gets eyes on him for sure,” Laviolette said. “Just the size of him and the way he plays the game. I can’t think of a guy who’s had such a big impact in his introduction into the National Hockey League. There was a lot that was surrounding his presence. I think the eyes get drawn to him.
“I know the game happens quickly as well. We go back, and I’ve said this before, even the hit where it did cross a line, we go back and we teach him about the game. We teach him about hitting, when to fight, when not to fight. We talk to him about systems. He’s a young player. He’s done a really good job for us inside of that. So I do think eyes are on him just because of his size a little bit, but I know that the game happens pretty fast and decisions are made quick out there.”
against Dmitry Orlov of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game 1. NHLI via Getty Images
Rempe’s Game 1 did not come with any hits that caused controversy, but he took a first-period penalty for interfering with Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen that certainly looked as though Rempe was pushed into the netminder.
It’s not the first time in these playoffs that referees have looked on Rempe with some extra scrutiny, which makes sense given he spent nearly as much time in the penalty box this season (71 minutes) as he did on the ice (95 minutes).
The Rangers did not make Rempe available pregame, even though he participated in an optional morning skate.
“I’m not getting into officiating comments,” captain Jacob Trouba said. “He’s shown that he’s a big physical presence on the ice. Gotta be selective in my words, but when he’s playing, he shouldn’t change how he plays. I think the way he plays, the energy he brings, the enthusiasm, the intensity, that’s what makes his game so impactful for our group and frustrating, probably not the greatest player to play against. When he’s on the ice, he’s gotta continue to play his game and I think that’s what’s best for our group.”
