Panthers Dealt Major Blow as Evan Rodrigues Ruled Out of Game 5 Against Maple Leafs
The intense series between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs has delivered a rollercoaster of drama, physicality, and standout moments. However, one of the most talked-about incidents came during Game 4 when Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues was forced to leave the game due to an apparent injury inflicted during a clash with Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
In the third period, Ekman-Larsson’s hit appeared to result in Rodrigues’ injury. Initially assessed with a five-minute major penalty, the punishment was later downgraded to a two-minute interference minor after further review. The decision sparked heated reactions across social media and among Panthers supporters.
Evan Rodrigues is out for Game 5, per Paul Maurice. He’ll be replaced by Jesper Boqvist.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 14, 2025
Unfortunately for Florida, things have taken a turn for the worse. Reports confirm that Rodrigues has not recovered in time for Game 5 and will not be in the lineup. Panthers coach Paul Maurice announced that Jesper Boqvist will step in to replace Rodrigues for the crucial matchup. This development marks a significant setback for the Panthers, who were eyeing their first series lead.
Rodrigues’ absence adds to a string of challenges Florida has faced this postseason. Despite being a key figure in the Panthers’ offensive setup, tallying 15 goals and 17 assists this season, he now joins a growing list of unavailable players, including previous absences like Matthew Tkachuk due to injury and Aaron Ekblad’s earlier suspension.
The backlash from Panthers fans was swift and fierce. Many pointed fingers at the Maple Leafs, accusing them of targeting Florida players. Incidents like Max Domi’s hit on Aleksander Barkov only fueled further anger. Social media platforms were flooded with fans expressing outrage. One fan commented, “Dirty #Leafs Forever intentionally injuring Florida players. Disgusting and pathetic.” Others highlighted the irony, given the Panthers’ own reputation for playing aggressively.
Some Leafs fans had previously speculated that Rodrigues may have exaggerated his injury. But with the official confirmation of his unavailability for Game 5, Panthers supporters pushed back hard. “But those Leafs fans who thought he faked an injury…” one user posted, while another sarcastically added, “This can’t be right, I was assured by Leafs fans he was faking it.”
The debate continued, with some even demanding league action against the Maple Leafs. One user called out the NHL directly, stating, “Leafs need to stop getting a free pass as a league favorite and be held accountable! Soo dirty.” Meanwhile, others remained skeptical, with one fan suggesting Rodrigues injured himself by embellishing contact: “He hurt himself diving too hard in Game 4.”
As Rodrigues steps aside, Jesper Boqvist will be called upon to fill the void in the Panthers’ roster. Whether he can step up in such a pivotal game remains to be seen. With the series finely poised and tempers flaring, all eyes are now on Game 5. The stakes are higher than ever, and fans on both sides are bracing for another intense showdown.