Matt Rempe, the darling of the NHL for the past month, will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday night for the New York Rangers, despite being eligible to play after serving his four-game suspension for elbowing Jonas Siegenthaler. While many thought Rempe would be thrust right back in the lineup once the suspension was served, coach Peter Laviolette is sending a clear message to both Rempe and the team that not playing smart will cost you in playing time, above and beyond what the NHL decides.
There is no indication that Laviolette has soured on Rempe in the least and there are additional factors at play in the decision as well. Jonny Brodzinski, the most likely scratch were Rempe to play, is coming off of two strong games, including Sunday when he scored a goal and was a plus-one against the Islanders. He has slotted in with Kakko and Wennberg on the third line, which once again looked dominant on Sunday, so not changing the chemistry is an additional factor.
Playing the Jets may also factor into the decision. They play a fast game rather than a heavy game, and with three Eastern Conference playoff teams over the next few days, there will be plenty of opportunities to get Rempe back in the lineup against opponents where a bigger lineup is beneficial. In the meantime, the extra night off should make clear that Laviolette believes Rempe needs to play with a bit more control than he has over his first 10 games to avoid costing his team when it really matters.
It remains to be seen whether Laviolette will look to Rempe with regularity once the playoffs start, but if he wants it as an option, he needs to make sure that the rookie can simultaneously bring his infectious energy and operate under control. The stakes are that high for a Ranger team on a heater, even if you happen to be the 2024 darling of the NHL.
