Panthers Win Game 2 vs. McDavid, Oilers as NHL Fans Hype Evan Rodrigues’ Late Goals

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJune 11, 2024

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Florida Panthers are two wins away from their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history.

Florida defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 in Monday’s Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Niko Mikkola opened the scoring for the victors in the second period and Aaron Ekblad finished it with an empty-netter in the third, but it was Evan Rodrigues who played the role of hero.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceEVAN RODRIGUES GIVES THE PANTHERS THE LEAD 🚀 pic.twitter.com/WoDRxlpFMa

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceEVAN RODRIGUES AGAIN 😱 pic.twitter.com/PC75upGTco

Rodrigues scored the go-ahead goal and an insurance goal in the third period, which was enough for goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. While Bobrovsky didn’t have to do as much as he did in Game 1, he still finished with 18 saves on 19 shots on goal and stuffed Connor McDavid on a late breakaway threat.

It was quite the save, but it was Rodrigues who drew the most love from social media:

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceEverything Coming Up Evan 🙌

A 2-goal performance in Game 2 by Evan Rodrigues gives the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final 🔥 pic.twitter.com/y8hw2sWNfP

Bally Sports Florida: Panthers @BallyPanthersImagine not having Evan Rodrigues on your squad. Couldn’t be us. 💅

Will Manso @WillMansoAll-time list in South Florida postseason moments:

1. Evan Rodrigues
2. Pudge Rodriguez

Katie Gaus @katie_gausAbsolutely love to see this for Evan Rodrigues! 🙌

One of the best guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of covering! Let’s go EROD! 👊💥

Travis Yost @travisyostYou need some letters from Conn Smythe to spell Evan Rodrigues, and people forget that

Maximiliano Bretos @MaxBretosSportsEvan Rodrigues man.. What a story!!!
Let’s Go Cats @FlaPanthers https://t.co/X5ox1TogoV

Blake Ferguson @blakeferguson48Evan Rodrigues having himself an MVP caliber SC Finals🔥 https://t.co/UOVd7kBZyS

Sam @samanthacp_evan rodrigues, have yourself a series

Conor Ryan @ConorRyan_93Boston University legend Evan Rodrigues for the Conn Smythe

Vic Lombardi @VicLombardiHappy for Evan Rodrigues. Great dude. Clutch goals.

Florida had all the momentum coming into Monday’s contest after Bobrovsky notched 32 saves in a shutout win in Game 1, and it looked like it would be more of the same out of the gates when Oilers forward Warren Foegele received a major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing Eetu Luostarinen.

However, the Panthers’ extended power play was short-lived thanks to a penalty by defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Edmonton took full advantage of the four-on-four with Mattias Ekholm’s goal, which was the first time the Western Conference champions bested Bobrovsky in the series.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceWarren Foegele received a major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing Luostarinen pic.twitter.com/if2eB5gSvv

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceTHE OILERS SCORE ON THEIR FIRST SHOT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gZzzRyOSIk

They didn’t put much pressure on the veteran goaltender after that, though, as the Oilers managed just seven shots on goal through the first two periods. The Panthers controlled much of the play and created far more opportunities, and it was only a matter of time before they capitalized.

Capitalize they did when Mikkola scored a rare goal from his defensive position to tie the game shortly after nearly putting an own goal into the wrong net, although Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner kept it tied heading to the third period thanks to a number of important saves as Florida continued to push forward.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceTHE PANTHERS TIE IT UP 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Pds1CWljDU

Skinner could only do so much with Edmonton struggling to create chances, and Rodrigues buried the go-ahead goal early in the third period and put even more pressure on McDavid and Co. to generate anything on the other end.

Rodrigues was far from done and buried an insurance goal during a power play to give the home team some breathing room in the final minutes that they only expanded on with the empty-netter.

As a result, the Oilers will have their backs to the wall when the series shifts to Edmonton for Thursday’s Game 3.