Evan Rodrigues to replace Jesper Boqvist in Panthers’ lineup for Game 7
The Florida Panthers have drafted winger Evan Rodrigues back into the lineup ahead of their Game 7 matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Rodrigues was injured in Game 4 in Sunrise and missed the title in Toronto on Wednesday for Game 5. Jesper Boqvist, who filled in for Rodrigues, played well enough to stick in the lineup for Game 6, but will be taken out in favor of Rodrigues. The American winger has three assists in 10 playoff games this year, serving as a good energy forward.
The undrafted forward had 15 points in 24 games a year ago to help the Panthers win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He has been quieter this year in the postseason, but he typically been a good regular-season performer. He finished with 32 points this year, scoring 15 goals for the third time in four years. Rodrigues also has had at least 30 points in each of those four seasons, highlighted by a personal best of 19 goals and 43 points in 2021-22.
Boqvist, meanwhile, has two points in nine playoff games after registering 23 points in 78 regular-season games. The Swedish winger recently signed a contract extension to keep him in Florida until 2027, giving the team some extra offensive depth.
The Panthers started the second-round series trailing 0-2 before winning three straight. They had a chance to close it out on home ice on Friday, but Toronto rallied for a 2-0 victory. The Panthers have made the Stanley Cup final in each of the past two seasons, and did so in 2023 after beating Toronto in the second round.
Puck drop is set for after 7:30 PM ET at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday evening.
SPONSORED BY bet365