It might be safe to say that Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice isn’t feeling any sympathy for Jacob Trouba after the New York Rangers defenceman was fined for elbowing Evan Rodrigues.
While meeting with reporters Monday on the off-day of the Eastern Conference Final, Maurice discussed the suspension.
“Poor lad, poor Jake. He won’t be able to eat,” Maurice quipped.
Trouba was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for delivering the elbow to Rodrigues’ head area. The officials initially ruled the hit a major penalty, but after reviewing the play, they downgraded the penalty to a two-minute minor.
“(Rodrigues) looks good,” Maurice said of his forward who stayed down on the ice following the hit.
Maurice refused to comment on the officiating or Trouba’s hit after Florida’s 5-4 loss in Game 3, saying, “I think I’ve got enough on my plate. I’m not going to do any refereeing or player safety tonight.”
After Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow played overtime hero, New York takes a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 on Tuesday.
You can catch the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.