New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for elbowing Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues. Trouba elbowed Rodrigues in the second period of Game 3, which led to a minor penalty despite many believing the penalty should have been deemed a major. The 30-year-old made clear that this play was not intentional. “It all happened pretty fast,” Trouba said via the New York Post’s Mollie Walker. “It’s not something you’re thinking about 1,000 times over and over again. I think it just happens fast, it’s hockey.” Walker added that Trouba also acknowledged he needs to be more disciplined as this marks the third time he’s been fined. Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who coached Trouba for six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, took the time to make a joke of the whole situation. Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances "Take the hat, pass it around. Poor lad. Poor Jake. He won't be able to eat," Maurice said about Trouba’s fine. The Rangers and Panthers play Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final on Tuesday night with New York holding a 2-1 series lead.
