The New York Rangers are currently preparing for the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers as they look to take another step closer to the ultimate goal: The Stanley Cup.
And for one of the Rangers’ players, the series is perhaps even more special.
Matt Rempe hasn’t scored the most goals or contributed the most offensively this season. But he came out of nowhere to become the biggest fan favorite at the MSG.
With his big hits, his physical presence, and his great fighting abilities, Rempe has meant a lot to the team since he made his debut after New Year’s.
Rempe has played seven games this postseason, recording one goal. He continues to play around eight shifts per game but tends to make the most out of his time on the ice.
And now, he will play against a player he really looks up to.
Ahead of the Rangers-Panthers series, Rempe was asked about his thoughts on Matthew Tkachuk, and he only had good things to say.
”Plays with a lot of grit and edge, gets under your skin, just mean. I can’t say enough good things about him,” Rempe told Mike Morreale. ”I was a Calgary kid and he played for Calgary, so it was a lot of fun watching him. When he left, it broke my heart a little bit.”
Matthew Tkachuk has shined in the playoffs and continues to be a leader both on and off the ice for the Panthers.
So far, he has four goals and ten assists through 11 playoff games, averaging 19:04 minutes of ice time.
