The second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers continues to rack up controversial incidents. In the second period of Game 2, the Panthers’ Evan Rodrigues was called for embellishment—a decision that left even the most die-hard Toronto fans furious.
Game 1 between Toronto and Florida was intense, entertaining, and full of drama. The Maple Leafs ultimately won 5–4, but most of the postgame talk centered around Florida’s questionable plays, including Sam Bennett elbowing goalie Anthony Stolarz and Matthew Tkachuk taking a run at Mitch Marner after the final whistle.
Game 2 kept the drama going, but this time, much of it came from highly questionable officiating. One incident involving Rodrigues sparked especially widespread outrage not only among fans, but also among insiders and experts.
Penalty call on Evan Rodrigues
The Panthers forward was battling for the puck along the boards in the second period when he was sent face-first into the glass by a big hit from behind by Maple Leafs forward Scott Laughton. There was little doubt Laughton deserved a penalty for the hit—but fans were stunned to learn that Rodrigues was also penalized. The officials gave him a two-minute minor for embellishment, while Laughton received a four-minute penalty for roughing.
On social media, fans were livid over the call against Rodrigues, especially given the violent nature of the hit. Some even called it “the worst call they’ve ever seen.” Even die-hard Toronto fan Paul Bissonnette was fuming.
“That’s not embellishment. I don’t want the PP. Let ’em play,” he wrote on X.
And plenty of people agreed with him.
“Insane embellishment call,” said hockey podcaster Peter Blackburn.
“That’s the craziest embellishment call in the history of the NHL,” added former NHL goalie Andrew Raycroft.
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