Evan Rodrigues ruled out as Jesper Boqvist joins Panthers top line

Evan Rodrigues will sit out the Game 5 lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice indicated Jesper Boqvist will replace him. Although Evan Rodrigues took part in Wednesday's gameday practice, he did not take part in line rushes. The playoff series stands at 2-2, and the Panthers are introducing a key replacement at the optimal moment.Evan Rodrigues left Sunday's fourth game in the second period after he received a high hit from Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The hit was in front of the Panthers' bench, and initially, Ekman-Larsson was given a five-minute major penalty. Subsequently, it was reduced to a two-minute interference call.Evan Rodrigues had two shots on goal and two hits in that game, which the Panthers won to make the series even. He appeared in every one of the 82 regular-season games. He averaged over fifteen minutes of ice time per game. He hadn't been cleared to play by Tuesday and, following a re-examination, on Wednesday, was officially placed on out status.In place of Rodrigues, who is out, 26-year-old Jesper Boqvist will take his spot on the top line. He appeared in seven playoff games this season but hasn't recorded a point yet. Boqvist appeared in a career-high 78 games with 12 goals and 23 points during the regular season.Captain Aleksander Barkov had good things to say about Boqvist. "A lot of skill, a lot of speed like we’ve seen throughout this whole year," Barkov said of Boqvist on Wednesday. "Playing against him for years, you see that skill and speed, and now you see it so close. Every practice, every game, he has a lot of skilll."Boqvist's speed may be perfectly suited to play with Barkov and Reinhart, who have spearheaded the attack in Florida's offense. The team hopes his pace and energy will fill the gap in losing Rodrigues in a vital game.Also Read: Brad Marchand And Evan Rodrigues Exchange Playful Jabs In Interview And Fans Are Losing Their Minds Over It