Panthers Crush Oilers, Go Back-to-Back

When then-Penguins GM Jim Rutherford acquired versatile forward Evan Rodrigues from the Sabres in February 2020, fellow PPer Caleb DiNatale was thrilled. While Other Rick and I were less enthused, Caleb sang E-Rod’s praises.

“I have a vision of him hoisting the Cup,” Caleb said. “You’ll see.”

Our colleague proved to be prescient. E-Rod, indeed, has lifted the Cup, and in back-to-back fashion to boot, albeit with the Panthers.

So has former Pen Dmitry Kulikov, and as Garrett Behanna of Pensburgh so duly noted, Patric Hörnqvist, now a valued member of Florida’s staff. Wholly appropriate, since the Panthers as a team embody the Viking warrior’s intensity and spirit.

The old net-front battler was…