2023-24 Playoff Focus: Evan Rodrigues (SCF, GM2)
Florida's spark plug delivers a jolt of offense
![Rodrigues celebrating a goal Rodrigues celebrating a goal](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F36955a27-e26e-4ea0-9528-80947df6ba4d_832x468.png)
With Aleksander Barkov handling Connor McDavid duty and Matthew Tkachuk struggling to find his Stanley Cup Final groove, the Florida Panthers required another source of offense in Game 2.
Evan Rodrigues answered the call.
The 5’11”, 175-pound journeyman buzzed around the ice to generate opportunity after opportunity for his club on Monday night. Rodrigues (FLA 17) wasted little time settling in either, as his poise and engagement level were evident right from the jump. Consider this first-period shift:
Stationed along the boards in transition, he pulls the puck to his backhand in order to evade Philip Broberg’s (EDM 86) early pressure and gain a clean entry. Although his delayed give-and-go feed to Sam Bennett (FLA 9) is a hair off target, he hustles back toward the puck and bowls over Sam Carrick (EDM 39) to extend the play in the OZ.
Midway through the second frame, a similar scenario unfolds in a slightly roomier setting:
Once again, Rodrigues sneaks inside on his backhand to bypass Broberg’s tight NZ gap. His pass through the Oilers’ first defensive layer catches them on a long change and springs Tkachuk (FLA 19) and Bennett on an odd-man rush.
After a labored Game 1 performance, Florida was suddenly rolling downhill with plus touches rather than playing hot potato.
The coaching staff sensed that Rodrigues was dialed in and promoted him to the top line in the third period. His creativity and quick-strike talent conjured some magic on the PP as well. Since the man advantage had been a sore spot for the Panthers, that was welcome news:
Edmonton’s strong-side blitz on the PK (notice the 4 defenders outside the dot) often forces you into suboptimal decisions, but if the point of attack is relocated, attractive windows are ripe for the picking. In the clip above, Rodrigues swiftly converts an Anton Lundell (FLA 15) keep-in into a Grade A chance for Bennett on the weak side.
PP2’s go-for-the-jugular approach would later bury the Oilers:
Three defenders attempt to contain Lundell on entry, so Rodrigues rides the near hashes to present an easy and direct option. No elaborate design. No prolonged exchanges. Just one devastating counterpunch. 3-1.
While the 30-year-old has hopped from team to team of late, he’s become a vital role player in Florida. You can slot him anywhere in the top nine and he’ll manufacture offense. Game 2 was a fine—and timely—example of the spark he can bring to the table.
On the night, he registered a 71.3 xGF% and 2 goals (including the GWG) in just 14:38 of action. Efficient outing.
Here are the full highlights: