HIGHLIGHTS
- Panthers’ Evan Rodrigues was given a controversial embellishment penalty despite being injured on the play
- Florida lost Game 2 by a score of 4-3 and now trails Toronto 2-0 in the playoff series
- Read below for video of the embellishment call and fan reactions as the series heads to Florida
The Florida Panthers’ playoff hopes took another hit in Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it wasn’t just the 4-3 loss that had fans seeing red.
A controversial embellishment call on Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues in the second period sparked outrage across social media. Rodrigues was crushed into the boards by Scott Laughton, a hit so severe that it sent him to the dressing room.
Yet somehow, officials handed Rodrigues a two-minute minor for embellishment alongside Laughton’s penalty.
Check it out here:
The call was met with immediate backlash from both fans and pro analysts. One user on Twitter sarcastically noted they “would’ve called embellishment on JFK.”
Others shared memes comparing the call to scenes from movies and sports history.
“Embellishment??? what,” wrote the Athletic’s Shayna Goldman, sharing video of the hit that left many viewers puzzled over the official’s decision.
The controversial call came at a crucial moment in the game. After Brad Marchand had given the Panthers a 2-1 lead early in the second, Toronto responded with two unanswered goals.
The Maple Leafs took a 3-2 lead into the third period. The teams would trade goals 17 seconds apart in the final frame, with Toronto holding on for the win.
The defending Stanley Cup champions now find themselves in a 2-0 series hole heading back to Florida. It’s a daunting position against a Maple Leafs team that’s been among the NHL’s elite all season.
Beating them four times in five games would be a tall order even for the defending champs.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, who’s already been dealing with challenges around Sam Bennett’s recent controversies, now has another officiating decision to address.
His team must find answers quickly as they try to climb back into the series.
