Evan Rodrigues fined $5,000 for high-sticking incident

The NHL Department of Player Safety has fined New Jersey Devils forward Evan Rodrigues $5,000 for a high-sticking infraction during a game against the Vancouver Canucks. The incident occurred late in the second period during a center-ice face-off following a false start. After being shoved by Canucks center Marco Rossi, Rodrigues raised his stick, making contact with Rossi in the throat and face area.

On the ice, officials initially assessed a spearing major penalty. However, after a review, the penalty was downgraded to a double-minor for high-sticking, which carries a four-minute penalty rather than a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The league's decision to classify the incident as high-sticking rather than spearing was based on the determination that there was no stabbing motion involved.