The NHL fined New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba $5,000 on Monday for elbowing Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues.
The incident occurred late in the second period in Game 3 on Sunday. Trouba received a two-minute minor for the elbow as well as a minor penalty for slashing during the same sequence.
Rodrigues, who was struck in the side of the face, left the ice with help but eventually returned in the third period.
Trouba, 30, contributed two assists on Sunday in Sunrise, Fla., as New York won 5-4 in overtime to seize a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.
Trouba has one goal and six assists in 13 games this postseason. The defenseman tallied 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) and 73 penalty minutes in 69 games during the regular season.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was asked about the $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.
“Take the hat, pass it around,” Maurice quipped Monday. “Poor lad. Poor Jake. He won’t be able to eat.”
–Field Level Media