Former Penguins Forward Produces in SCF Loss
A former Pittsburgh Penguins forward is leading the Florida Panthers in Stanley Cup Final points.
PITTSBURGH – The last time the Pittsburgh Penguins were in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they lost in the first round to the New York Rangers in seven games. The last Penguin to score a goal in that series was Evan Rodrigues, who picked up a short-handed tally late in the second period.
Rodrigues departed the Penguins later that summer and has found himself on the brink of greatness with the Florida Panthers. Facing off against the Edmonton Oilers, the Panthers are one win away from capturing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
Since the start of the Cup Final round, Rodrigues has elevated his game to a new level. Heading into a possibly deciding Game 5, Rodrigues has three goals and an assist for four total points. The Panthers may have lost 5-3, but Rodrigues added to his point total.
Down 3-0, Rodrigues picked up the lone assist on Matthew Tkachuk’s first goal of the series. Rodrigues intercepted a soft pass and found Tkachuk breaking away from Oilers defenders.
The Oilers responded with a fourth goal to go up 4-1, but Rodrigues answered just 14 seconds later. A bouncing puck found its way past Stuart Skinner, but Rodrigues was the last Panther to touch it.
The Panthers couldn’t complete the comeback and close out the series, but they’ll enter Game 6 with Rodrigues as their leading scorer with six points. Only Connor McDavid has more points in the series.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins