Rangers test out huge fourth line as Rempe shines in preseason win over Devils

New York Rangers opened their 2025-26 preseason with a 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Sunday, a win that also served as a preview of the team’s potential depth as the coaching staff experiments with a very large fourth line. Center Dylan Roobroeck (6-foot-7) skated between 6-foot-5 Nathan Aspinall and 6-foot-9 Matt Rempe, creating a unit that immediately drew attention for its size and pace. After the game, head coach Mike Sullivan praised Rempe, saying he had a great game, and noted Rempe’s strong puck work and decision-making when plays weren’t there on the rush. "The line, just by the nature of their physical stature, they’re a tough line to handle," Sullivan said. "I thought Rempe did a really good job protecting pucks. He made good decisions when plays weren’t there off the rush. He would drive pucks low, and he would go to work down underneath the hash marks. When he does that, I think he’s a handful for our opponents."

Sullivan added that Rempe’s size translates into momentum for the team. "He’s just so big and so strong, and he creates momentum for us. I thought the goal they scored, Rempe’s effort on that goal was outstanding. I’ve noticed [his speed] in the first few days of camp. He’s in great shape, but he’s a strong skater. Sometimes, bigger guys like that, they don’t look like they’re going that fast because they have long levers, but they’re covering ground out there. He’s one of those guys. For a guy that’s as big as he is, he gets around the ice pretty good."

The fourth line didn’t wait long to make an impression. Early in the second period, Rempe used the speed he’s been working on all summer to split two Devils players and put the puck on net, setting up Roobroeck to bury the rebound for a 2-1 lead at the 3:11 mark. Roobroeck finished with two points on the night, including an assist on Brodzinski’s late-second-period goal that helped push the Rangers to a two-goal cushion. Rempe’s size and willingness to drive to the net were the talking points from this unit, which the coaching staff will evaluate over the coming weeks as many players push for spots.

Gabe Perreault opened the scoring for the Rangers, and Scott Morrow, Conor Sheary, and Jonny Brodzinski added goals of their own. Roobroeck led the team with two points after assisting on Brodzinski’s 5-2 goal in the second period. With the goaltending rotation in preseason mode, Jonathan Quick stopped 12 of 13 shots before Dylan Garand allowed two goals on 15 shots. The performance offered a mixed bag of positives and questions as the Rangers begin to sort out roles and line combinations ahead of the regular season.

The other notable storyline involved Brennan Othmann, who posted one shot on goal in 12:30 of ice time but also drew attention for a rough night. He racked up 15 penalty minutes, including a five-minute major and a game misconduct for elbowing Calen Addison late in the third period. The sequence underscored the fine line between physical play and discipline that coaches will watch as players approach the regular-season schedule. Othmann’s turnovers and puck-management mistakes were cited as issues that could factor into any discipline deliberations, and the incident could impact how the league views his early-season conduct.

The Rangers rode a blend of veterans and prospects to the win, with Rempe earning consideration for increased responsibilities based on his performance and the trust he earned from Sullivan. The coach’s praise for Rempe reflected a broader assessment of a camp that has emphasized speed, strength, and decision-making under pressure. While Rempe’s performance in this game won’t automatically secure a roster spot, it provided a strong case study of how his skill set might complement a bigger, more physical forward group that the team has explored in practice and in this first preseason test. The game also served as a reminder that the Rangers’ depth, particularly at forward, could offer the club multiple options as it approaches a crowded training camp landscape.