Matt Rempe ‘getting close’ to long-awaited Rangers return as he takes big practice step

Matt Rempe ‘getting close’ to long-awaited Rangers return as he takes big practice step

Matt Rempe continues to gradually fight his way back to the Rangers’ lineup. The 6-foot-9 slugger shed the red noncontact jersey and was a full participant in practice Friday for the first time since Oct. 23, when he was injured in a bout with San Jose enforcer Ryan Reaves.

Rangers injury update: Matt Rempe 'close' but won't play against Canadiens

For the first time since he sustained an upper-body injury in a fight back on Oct. 23, New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe participated in a full practice Friday. However, the towering forward doesn’t quite have the green light to return to game action. So, that means Rempe misses his 24th consecutive game Saturday, when the Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. “He will not play tomorrow. He was full contact today,” coac…