Sometimes, Penguins wingers have their breakout NHL season solely thanks to time on Sidney Crosby’s wing. Rodrigues doesn’t appear to be one of them.
On Saturday night, Rodrigues skated alongside Sidney Crosby for the 15th time this season.
It’s easy to guess that Rodrigues’ breakout NHL season— 37 games in, and he’s already eclipsed his career-high points total of 29— came thanks to this time alongside Crosby. In fact, just five of Rodrigues’ 30 points in 2021-22 have involved the Penguins captain.
This latest opportunity on the first line, offered to Rodrigues after Bryan Rust joined the Penguins’ COVID-19 protocol list four games ago, seemed well-deserved given his performance through the season so far; heading into Saturday, with 23 points at even strength through 36 games, Rodrigues trailed only Jake Guentzel (27 points) for the team lead in 5v5 production.