GDT: ECF: Game 2 - New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers, 8pm ET, ESPN

[GoAwayPanarin]

Kakko’s possession game was not visible in game 1 against Florida. If it was, I would say let’s keep him in lineup. But he was useless in game 1 and should sit…

If we're going to go based off of G1 performances, Vesey should sit.

I get that he kills penalties but hes the 6th out of 6 PK forwards. Figure it out how to make up the time and scratch him. He's been bad in every game outside of g1 of the Washington series.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

apparently we broke the all time record for conference finals ticket prices this series at MSG

Imagine paying that money to see game 1.

 

[Megustaelhockey]

Sheesh... a 2nd OA bust.. not a good look for this franchise.

Nothing new. And our fan reaction to the Hughes pick was a joke, too.

 

[McRanger92]

I still think Wheeler should play over somebody, even if Rempe is in.

 

[NikC]

I still think Wheeler should play over somebody, even if Rempe is in.

why not Vessey!?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1794024205823967455

Not really game related but this got a laugh out of me.

 

[Raspewtin]

If we're going to go based off of G1 performances, Vesey should sit.

I get that he kills penalties but hes the 6th out of 6 PK forwards. Figure it out how to make up the time and scratch him. He's been bad in every game outside of g1 of the Washington series.

He's been bad every game since friggin January. Sick to death of his stupid ass.

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Id rather get Wheeler in there over Rempe but whatever. Cant wait for his 4 minutes of playing time and penalty taken.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Kakko is "good defensively" because he skates in a circle with the puck for 30 seconds and goes off for a change when he loses it. He throws 1 hit a week and idk if I've ever seen him block a shot willingly. Bye bye this summer, maybe Seattle will give you PP time.

Again, even if you actually believe what you say, it refutes nothing related to what I said with Rempe.

Literally the only positive in that scenario is as @Raspewtin said, Rempe being in forces Laviolette to play the horses more.

 

[McRanger92]

why not Vessey!?

PK role. It wouldve been nice if Kakko developed that part of his game over the past half decade but alas.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

If we're going to go based off of G1 performances, Vesey should sit.

I get that he kills penalties but hes the 6th out of 6 PK forwards. Figure it out how to make up the time and scratch him. He's been bad in every game outside of g1 of the Washington series.

Oh I agree. I think we should scratch anyone of Kakko, Vesey , Wennberg. All 3 have been useless lately. I would play Rempe and Wheeler instead of 2 of those 3 any day.

 

[McRanger92]

Again, even if you actually believe what you say, it refutes nothing related to what I said with Rempe.

Literally the only positive in that scenario is as @Raspewtin said, Rempe being in forces Laviolette to play the horses more.

Rangers play better with Rempe in the lineup. The hand wringing over how it effects Florida is missing the point. Kakko has been a passenger all playoffs. Rempe is more noticeable in those 4 minutes he plays.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

PK role. It wouldve been nice if Kakko developed that part of his game over the past half decade but alas.

Any idiot can PK it’s not some special skill

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

We need production from those bottom two lines. They brought diddly in game 1 and have most of this series.

But I would also have Vesey first out. KK should have been killing penalties all year. It's time we give up on him being a 2oa. If we are going to keep him, we need to live with the fact that he can be a valuable 3rd liner who can do small things very well.

Obviously having him start killing penalties now is not ideal so I guess I understand keep Vesey in over him.

 

[AirGut]

well Kaapo....it's been fun I guess

 

[Raspewtin]

Any idiot can PK it’s not some special skill

unironically this. just be fast, have decent pivots, and have a decent stick.

 

[McRanger92]

Any idiot can PK it’s not some special skill

Dont shoot the messenger, Id scratch vesey for Blake Wheelchair

 

[EdJovanovski]

 

[McRanger92]

Wennberg hatty incoming now that hes unencumbered by Kakko

 

[SA16]

Again, even if you actually believe what you say, it refutes nothing related to what I said with Rempe.

Literally the only positive in that scenario is as @Raspewtin said, Rempe being in forces Laviolette to play the horses more.

Not really true. Zibanejad Trocheck Panarin all played between 22.5 and 25 mins last game anyway despite only 2 pps. Rempe over a regular 4th liner is probably an additional 4-5 mins of ice time but it’s split between 9 potential guys so overall you end up with the top 9 forwards getting about an extra 30 seconds each on average.

 

[McRanger92]

Not for nothing but the Rangers need a guy with this attitude on the ice. All our veteran leaders are introspective lead by example types. Florida's got guys out there enjoying themselves and we need more of it if we're going to beat them. Our vibes/60 has taken a hit since Game 4 in Carolina.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Nothing new. And our fan reaction to the Hughes pick was a joke, too.

To be fair, Hughes was not the mega prospect people make him out to be and Kakko was seen as a bull with great skills who dominated the world championships or whatever. Lafreniere was considered a better prospect than Hughes. Kakko there was some debate too.

 

[NikC]

Not for nothing but the Rangers need a guy with this attitude on the ice. All our veteran leaders are introspective lead by example types. Florida's got guys out there enjoying themselves and we need more of it if we're going to beat them. Our vibes/60 has taken a hit since Game 4 in Carolina.

what from that quote leads you to believe that he's the catalyst the rangers need right now?

That he's good at puzzle games? makes sarcastic HS retorts?

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Rempe needs to change his jersey number to 69 already. Enough screwing around.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Not for nothing but the Rangers need a guy with this attitude on the ice. All our veteran leaders are introspective lead by example types. Florida's got guys out there enjoying themselves and we need more of it if we're going to beat them. Our vibes/60 has taken a hit since Game 4 in Carolina.

Yea all of the beat reporters gush about the person he is off the ice too, Larry Brooks said: “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m not sure I have ever encountered a player who is as authentic, comfortable in his skin and as happy to be here as Rempe.”

One funny thing that was en example of this was his hilarious reaction to his goal being overturned that one time, most players especially a rookie in his first 10 games in the league would try to play it cool and act unfazed, but he had the funniest expressive reaction to it snapping his head back and looking like he just got kicked in the balls. I think intangibles are under-appreciated in today’s era of analytics and Rempe brings a lot of stuff that you usually see from veterans. Hank wouldn’t have been Hank without his fierce persona & the style, Ovi wouldn’t be Ovi without his over the top personality, list goes on. And I think even aside from the physical presence, that confidence, swagger, fun he brings rubs off on the team.