Rangers' Matt Rempe is in the spotlight again after his hit on Capitals' Trevor van Riemsdyk

Matt Rempe, the New York Rangers' 6-foot-8 rookie who took the NHL by storm in recent months as a fighter and fan favorite, is back in the spotlight at playoff time. Rempe laid out Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk with a big hit in Game 3 Friday night, one that drew a two-minute minor penalty but nothing more as far as on-ice retribution or off-ice punishment. The 21-year-old defended his actions Saturday, while debate swirled about whether the check that injured van Riemsdyk should have warranted something more from officials or the league office. “My job's to finish hits there,” Rempe said.