Rodrigues Scores Twice as Florida Takes Series Lead
Evan Rodrigues scored two goals, including the game-winner, as the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in Game 2 of their Western Conference Second Round series on Tuesday night at Rogers Place.
Rodrigues gave the Panthers an early lead just 2:37 into the game, taking a pass from Carter Verhaeghe and wristing a shot past Oilers goaltender Mike Smith.
The Oilers tied the game on a power play later in the first period, with Leon Draisaitl scoring a one-timer from the slot off a pass from Connor McDavid.
Rodrigues put the Panthers back in front with his second goal of the game early in the second period. He took a pass from Aleksander Barkov and skated into the Oilers zone, deking past Smith and scoring on a backhand.
The Oilers tied the game again later in the second period on a goal by Zach Hyman. Hyman took a pass from McDavid and skated into the Panthers zone, beating goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky with a wrist shot.
The game remained tied until Rodrigues scored his game-winning goal with just over five minutes remaining in the third period. He took a pass from Anthony Duclair and skated into the Oilers zone, beating Smith with a wrist shot.
Bobrovsky made 27 saves for the Panthers, while Smith made 30 saves for the Oilers.
The Panthers now have a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 will be played in Sunrise, Florida, on Thursday night.
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R. Bauer
