The NHL fined Devils forward Evan Rodrigues $5,000 on Sunday after a high-sticking play late in Saturday night’s game against Vancouver.
The Department of Player Safety said Rodrigues was penalized for the incident that came just before a face-off at center ice near the end of the second period of the interconference matchup. After a gloved shove from Canucks center Marco Rossi, Rodrigues lifted his stick and caught Rossi in the throat and face area. Officials gave Rodrigues a double minor for high-sticking on the play.
It’s the first time in Rodrigues’ long career that he has drawn supplemental discipline from the league. He’s in his first season with New Jersey after being acquired over the summer as part of the return in the deal that sent veteran goalie Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers.
Rodrigues signed a four-year deal carrying a $3.075 million salary cap hit, and he is in the final season of that contract. The 33-year-old will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer unless he reaches an extension with the Devils.
Through four games in New Jersey, Rodrigues has yet to record a point and sits at minus-4 while averaging 15:48 of ice time per game. The Toronto native is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Florida and was one of the club’s healthier regulars last season, when injuries ravaged the lineup. He finished with 31 points in 69 games.
New Jersey handled Vancouver 4-1 on home ice Saturday to move to 2-2-0. The Devils are back at Prudential Center on Monday night against the Ottawa Senators. Vancouver dropped to 2-4-0 with its third straight loss.
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