Madison Square Garden had a palpable stiffness to it before Rangers cult hero Matt Rempe did what he does best.
The 6-foot-8 ½ forward, who many questioned if he should even be in the playoff lineup, restored the World’s Most Famous Arena to its proper postseason decibel when he scored the Rangers’ first goal on the way to their 4-1 win over the Capitals in Game 1 of the opening round on Sunday.
It was a goal that said: I belong here.
It served as a catalyst for what became a crucial three-goal second period.
It got the Blueshirts going.
This was far from an aberration in Rempe’s short-yet-eventful NHL career, over which he has become a household name in the hockey world by way of his towering stature, bruising fists and unapologetic personality.
There’s no question the 21-year-old rookie plays a unique and niche role under the limited minutes he receives under Peter Laviolette, but the impact Rempe has been able to have despite such circumstances is why the Rangers head coach had him suit up on Sunday.
