Mike Sullivan details Matt Rempe's and Gabe Perreault's sudden absences from the Rangers latest game
New York Rangers lineup surprises, illness concerns, and late changes surfaced Sunday night in Nashville, and head coach Mike Sullivan has just addressed it.
The Rangers took the ice against the Predators, missing two notable forwards, and it wasn't by choice. Head coach Mike Sullivan revealed moments before the game that both Matt Rempe and Gabe Perreault would be sidelined due to illness.
UPDATE: Gabe Perreault and Matt Rempe will not play tonight (illness).
According to Sullivan, the warning signs appeared early. Both players arrived at the rink Sunday morning not feeling well, and it quickly became clear they were dealing with more than minor discomfort. By mid-morning, the coaching staff was already preparing for the likelihood that neither would be able to play.
Perreault's absence stood out in particular. The 20-year-old prospect had just scored his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues and was beginning to find rhythm after being recalled from Hartford. Missing a game during that momentum is unfortunate timing.
Rempe, meanwhile, was expected to provide physical presence and energy in the bottom six. At 6-foot-8, his role is simple but important, and the Rangers felt that loss against a heavy Predators team.
Both players were described as «pretty sick,» with Sullivan making it clear this was not a game-time call, but a health-based decision.
Illness forces New York Rangers into a late lineup shuffle
The Rangers were already without captain J.T. Miller, as he was listed week-to-week with an upper-body injury and losing two more forwards hours before puck drop only added to the challenge. Line combinations were adjusted on the fly, and the lack of continuity showed at times.
Sullivan addressed the situation after the game, offering clarity on when the decision came together.
"We had an idea. They came to the rink this morning not feeling well. They were pretty sick, both of them. So we had a feeling, this morning, that we probably were going to be without them. This afternoon, we tried to give them an opportunity to rest, get some food in them. Obviously, it's something that's going through our team right now. We've got a few guys that have it. We got to find a way to fight through it."
The expectation is that both Rempe and Perreault will return once symptoms subside, but illness is unpredictable. The Rangers did not provide a timeline beyond day-to-day monitoring.
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 21 | 127 ANSWERS Mike Sullivan details Matt Rempe's and Gabe Perreault's sudden absences from the Rangers latest game Did illness significantly impact the New York Rangers effort against Nashville? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 42.5 % |
| Somewhat | 28 | 22 % |
| Not really | 38 | 29.9 % |
| Hard to say | 7 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||