PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) First line center Evan Rodrigues.
Yeah, that's where the Pittsburgh Penguins are at heading into their fifth game of the 2021-22 NHL season.
Offseason surgeries to Sidney Crosby and Evgani Malkin put the Pens top two centers on the shelf to start the year.
Now, goalie Tristan Jarry and fill-in top center Jeff Carter have entered COVID protocol; Both are asymptomatic.
That leaves the Penguins with the aforementioned Rodrigues as the new first line center.
It's not an ideal situation, but head coach Mike Sullivan is confident in E-Rod's abilities.
During the Thursday practice, Rodrigues centered Jake Guentzel and Kasperi Kapanen; Oh yeah, Bryan Rust is still out on a week-to-week basis.
Rordigues himself is confident he will be able to play his game on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"You play your game, you do your thing, and the game will take care of itself."
Rodrigues hasn't been a bad player so far this year.
On a fully healthy roster he may not crack the lineup, but through four games Rodrigues has two goals and an assist for three points.
He's been a useful tool as the previous second line center behind Carter with Kapanen and Jason Zucker on his wings.
It should be noted that with Jarry also entering protocol, the Penguins will likely look to Casey DeSmith to start on Saturday.
There has not yet been word on the possible call up of third string goalie Louis Domingue as backup.
No call ups have been made yet.
