Rangers’ Trouba fined for elbowing Panthers’ Rodrigues

Ron MacLean and the Hockey Central panel discuss New York Rangers defenceman Jacob Trouba's hit on Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues and debate whether the play warranted a major penalty instead of a minor.

New York Rangers defenceman Jacob Trouba has avoided a suspension for his elbow in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

However, Trouba did not get off scot-free, as the league announced Monday that he had been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for elbowing Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues.

The Rangers captain delivered a high elbow to the head area of Rodrigues late in the second period on Sunday. It was originally called a major penalty, but upon review was downgraded to a minor.

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Rodrigues was down on the ice for several minutes with a trainer before skating to the locker room. He returned for the third period.

The Rangers went on to win the game 5-4 in overtime and now have a 2-1 lead in the series.

Trouba, 30, has been in trouble with the league before, earning two suspensions and two other fines over his career.

Game 4 of the series is Tuesday in South Florida.

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