It's been tough sledding for New York Rangers fourth-line forward Matt Rempe as of late.
The 6-foot-8 enforcer has been called for controversial penalties in his last two games.
First, Rempe took a two-minute goaltender interference penalty on Tuesday against the Jets forward Morgan Barron shoved him into Connor Helleybuck.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette didn't agree with the call as he voiced his frustrations on the bench.
The penalty ended up costing the Rangers the contest as Gabe Villardi scored the game-winner on that power play opportunity.
“They’re saying they want to protect the goalies, but I don't know,” Laviolette said following the 2-1 loss.
Two days later, Rempe took an interference penalty after Minnesota Wild forward Devin Shore skated into him without looking. Rempe's sheer size advantage made the collision look polarizing as Shore was knocked down to the ice.
The Rangers paid for the penalty again as Marcus Johansson struck on the power play to tie the game.
"The size of him and the way he plays the game, it just draws attention," Laviolette said postgame. "It’s unfortunate because sometimes like tonight he’s not really doing anything and he’s in the box and it can come back and bite you."
Rempe, who has 91 hits on the year, plays an integral role to the physicality of the Rangers lineup.
"It's frustrating," Rempe said to Mollie Walker of the New York Post. "That one last night, the guy just ran into me. I know I'm a big guy who plays a physical game, but it's unfortunate. I'm just trying to play my game, and I think I'm playing really well. I'm not going to let it deter me.
“I’m not changing my game, but I feel like I’m going to go be fast, be physical, go make plays…My game has to lead with speed and physicality… If I start going around and trying to be cautious, that’s not me. That’s not my game. The farthest thing I want to be is a big teddy bear, that’s the last thing I want to be.”
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