Florida Panthers’ Evan Rodrigues Ruled Out for Game 5 Against Toronto Maple Leafs
The Florida Panthers will be without one of their top-six forwards for Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to a report from SI.com’s Breakaway On SI. Panthers winger Evan Rodrigues has been ruled out for Game 5, and Jesper Boqvist will slot in for him, as confirmed by the team’s head coach, Paul Maurice.
According to SI.com’s Breakaway On SI, Maurice shared the disappointing news and lineup update with reporters, stating that Rodrigues is out for Game 5. The news was first reported by TSN and The Athletic’s Chris Johnston. Rodrigues previously skated on the top line during the playoffs alongside captain Sasha Barkov and top winger Sam Reinhart, bringing a straight-ahead, puck-chasing style from the left wing.
As reported by SI.com’s Breakaway On SI, Rodrigues left Game 4 after taking a crushing body check from Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and did not return. Despite not being considered a huge point producer, his playoff production has been impressive, with 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 49 career postseason contests. He was instrumental in the team’s 2024 Cup run, playing in all 24 games and scoring seven goals and adding eight assists for 15 points.
In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rodrigues had three assists in nine games before his injury, as per SI.com’s Breakaway On SI. During the regular season, he continued his role as a quality middle-six winger, netting 15 goals, 17 assists, and 32 points while averaging over 15 minutes of ice time in 82 games.
The loss of Rodrigues is a significant blow to the Panthers, who are looking to take a 3-2 series lead against the Maple Leafs. As noted by SI.com’s Breakaway On SI, Boqvist will get his second shot in the postseason lineup, replacing Rodrigues. The 26-year-old had a career-best 12 goals and 23 points during the regular season but has been pointless in seven postseason appearances.
As quoted in the original article on SI.com’s Breakaway On SI, Chris Johnston tweeted, "Evan Rodrigues is out for Game 5, per Paul Maurice. He’ll be replaced by Jesper Boqvist." The Panthers will need to adjust their lineup and strategy to compensate for Rodrigues’ absence in Game 5.
In conclusion, the Florida Panthers face a significant challenge in Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs without Evan Rodrigues. As reported by SI.com’s Breakaway On SI, the team will need to rely on Jesper Boqvist to fill the gap and hope that their remaining players can step up to secure a crucial win. The Panthers’ ability to adapt to this lineup change will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
