Evan Rodrigues Finally Breaks Silence on Controversial Embellishment Call

With the events of Game 3 in the rearview mirror, all eyes are firmly focused on Game 4 from Florida on Sunday night. Toronto is looking to capitalize and take a 3-1 series lead, meanwhile the Panthers are trying to claw back to even it up.

It was a rough and tumble affair on Friday night, and there was certainly no love lost between the two teams. One incident that caused a lot of issues was Evan Rodrigues' embellishment after being hit by Scott Laughton

Both men ended up in the penalty box though Rodrigues left for the locker room and Florida had a placeholder save. Many thought that it was a bad call against the Panthers, but one could argue he did lean into the boards a bit.

Speaking to media ahead of Game 4, the Florida forward touched on the incident and was genuinely shocked that he received the call, and not necessarily that he took a penalty:

Though Rodrigues may have a bit of an argument, he can't really explain his leaping hit on John Tavares later on, something that also warrants a look from the league but likely won't.

He's been the target of some viciousness throughout the playoffs, having to leave Game 2 for a short time as well before returning, then leaving again in Game 3.

He plays hard and arguably dirty, so it isn't too shocking to see him going to the locker room to get checked out at points, and he certainly has a big target on his back for going after Tavares.

Rodrigues hasn't been the same player as he was for the Panthers when they won last year, and only has three assists in eight games but is still a big part of keeping Toronto annoyed at all times.

However you want to spin it, whether Rodrigues embellished the hit from Scott Laughton, or genuinely got shoved into the boards is always going to be up for debate.

What isn't up for debate however is a Toronto win, something the team is going to look to do Sunday night in Game 4 from Sunrise, Florida.