Matt Rempe has been the breath of fresh air the Rangers have needed this season.
It was only fitting he would step up even more in his first-ever Stanley Cup playoffs, and he played a big part in the Rangers’ 4-1 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the first-round series against the Washington Capitals.
Rempe, more known for his fighting and physical skills than his offensive prowess, scored the opening goal of the playoff series on Sunday.
The goal sparked the Rangers’ offense. It came at 4:17 of the second period, and they built a 3-0 lead in a 2:06 span after Rempe’s goal.
”I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ It didn’t really kick in, and then you hear the crowd. It was a dream come true. It was unreal,” he said after the 4-1 win.
Rempe already has a cult hero status after the 6’8” rookie fought some of the toughest guys in the league in the regular season.
Now, in the first postseason game of his career, the Rangers fans loudly chanted his game throughout it all.
”I love them. They were chanting all night and I love them so much,” Rempe said. ”I can’t thank them enough.
But the praise for Rempe from the crowd didn’t just come during the game.
Afterward, he was awarded the third star, and the crowd went absolutely bonkers when he took a lap on the ice.
It was incredible to see and hear the crowd’s reaction to it, and Rempe had a big smile on his face when he took the ice to thank them.
What a moment for the rookie, and the playoff has just started for him and the Rangers. This could be a wild and awesome ride.
