Matt Rempe-Adam Edstrom combo gives Rangers size, energy on fourth line
There is a new signature sound at Madison Square Garden.The anticipatory humming that permeates the air when Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom pick up speed as they come down the ice, to land a hit or engage in a puck battle behind the visitor’s net, eventually detonates the crowded stands as one or both make contact.That’s just a byproduct of watching two 6-foot-7-plus hockey players reincarnate the Mighty Ducks’ Bash Brothers.Just call Edstrom Fulton Reed, and Rempe can be Dean Portman.It could be a recurring act at the Garden this season.
In the wake of Jimmy Vesey’s week-to-week lower-body injury, it is certainly an option to start.Edstrom and Rempe have flanked the Rangers fourth line in two exhibition games this preseason, one of which free-agent signee Sam Carrick skated in the middle.It forged a unit with size, strength and a mean bite.“It was fun, for sure,” Carrick told The Post after the second Devils exhibition game earlier this week.
“They’re two big bodies, but they can fly around there.I thought we had a really good start.
Remps had a couple big hits and got the crowd into it, as he does.It makes things easier for me, to settle in.“I got those two guys creating energy and I can just kind of read off them.
I think we did a pretty good job, especially early on, to bring some momentum for the team.”Jonny Brodzinski got the nod with Carrick and Rempe in the Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the Islanders in their preseason finale Friday night at UBS Arena, which was supposed to be the closest thing to a dress rehearsal for Opening Night.Opening the scoring on the night, the 31-year-old ripped a shot from the top of the zone that bounced over Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov and in.The Rangers have relied on Brodzinski in a depth role for four seasons now, which could give him a leg up on Edstrom in the competition for the final lineup spot.Plus, Brodzinski would have to be put on waivers to be sent down to Hartford and Edstrom would not.Head co...