FanPost

Rodrigues has earned his way into a healthy lineup

Lack of depth was the scarlet letter looming over this season from the jump. There were various attempts to plug the deluge. Jankowski could not have been a bigger bust. He'll go down as part of the rotating cast of Pens 3rd line centers the 4 years; it's subtly approaching Browns QB carousel territory. Sceviour, who the Pens tried to send out to pasture to no avail, still lingers. He barely plays, and he fails to really impact the game when he does. Gaudreau has been admirable, but if McCann stays at center it pushes him outta the lineup. That could be for the best; Gaudreau has great underlying numbers but has just 1 5v5 primary point in 106 minutes. He slots in well as a 13th forward.

Anyway, the one depth option who's undeniably cemented his slot in a healthy 12 come playoff time is Evan Rodrigues. He's been a reliable Swiss army knife all year long, having played well on all 4 lines. His two-way game has been on point. He ranks 8th in 5v5 primary scoring rate among Pens forwards, and 7th in relative xG rate. He's also playing more than he ever has with 13.1 5v5 mins/g. That's good for 7th, though that's partially inflated by all the injuries. He's even shown he can jump up the lineup and hold it together. With Crosby and Guentzel posted a 61% xGF% in 79 minutes to start the year. By all accounts he passes as a 3rd liner, perhaps remaining with McCann and Zucker. The trio's rocked a 59% xGF% in 44 minutes thus far. If they can find a left wing for Malkin, it'd reunite ZAR-Blueger-Tanev on the 4th line, too.

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