Panthers Top-Six Forward Questionable for Game 5 vs. Maple Leafs After Controversial Hit

With Game 5 on the horizon, there is going to be a lot of eyes on the clash between the Maple Leafs and Panthers. Florida came away with a series tying 2-0 shutout victory, and the Maple Leafs skated away miserable and dealing with the NHL's wrath.

One player who might not be in the lineup however for Game 5 is Evan Rodrigues, who ended up taking as nasty shot to the head courtesy of Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Although the video evidence would argue otherwise, Rodrigues still got rattled regardless, and according head coach Paul Maurice, he might not joining the team at all:

Taken from the Craig Berube handbook of dealing with the media, Maurice seemed to have the tightest of lips when it came to ensuring that both reporters and the Maple Leafs don't get some inside info.

Hopefully there's nothing serious with Rodrigues, and he's been a big part of Florida's comeback from down 2-0 and has had a very good year altogether.

His stats might not impress you, but his style of play has allowed Florida to be able to come back so far. Hounding the Maple Leafs all series, he's gotten himself the center of attention after a few unsportsmanlike incidents.

First, he ended up blatantly diving on a Scott Laughton hit, though he was called for embellishment thankfully; but then he decided to leap up and hit John Tavares with a high elbow that wasn't called.

It seems that irked Ekman-Larsson something fierce, so he decided to wreak his own bit of havoc. He was assessed a major penalty for boarding initially, he was downgraded to a minor shortly after the call.

While it's unknown the status of Rodrigues as of yet, his departure from the team will leave a big hole in the Panthers top-six, and might give the Maple Leafs a bit of a breather at least when it comes to being smacked around.

Though probably not, as it's Florida only intention to cause suffering this postseason, and they're doing a mighty fine job even without Rodrigues.