Evan Rodrigues finds chemistry with Sidney Crosby on Penguins' top line

The Buffalo Sabres have had throngs of malfunctions over the past decade.

That’s why they’re on course to miss the postseason for an 11th consecutive season.

One of those countless failures was Evan Rodrigues.

Not so much him. But what they did (or didn’t do) with him.

They didn’t play him.

That’s why he’s a now member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Setting a new career-high with his 10th goal of the season, Rodrigues helped lead his current employer past his former employer, 3-2, in overtime at PPG Paints Arena on Friday.

A healthy scratch for 17 games for the 2019-20 Sabres — a squad successful enough to finish 25th in the NHL standings that season — Rodrigues requested a trade and was granted one to the Penguins in February of 2020.

Currently in his third season with the Penguins, Rodrigues has filled a variety of roles and is substituting on the top line with wingers Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust sidelined with maladies.

Having found ample chemistry with franchise center Sidney Crosby, Rodrigues has complicated the conversations for Penguins coaches as to the compositions of their lines once Guentzel and Rust return to competition.

In a good way.

“(Rodrigues) has had a really solid start to this season,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He certainly has earned every opportunity he has been given to this point. And he’s been one of our top performers, quite honestly. As we start to get a healthy lineup, he has certainly made the discussion from a line combination standpoint interesting. We’ll continue to have those discussions moving forward. The way (Rodrigues) has performed to this point, he has made a really strong case for himself.”

Rodrigues fortified his case 5:53 into the regulation Friday with a power-play goal. Settling a puck above the left circle, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang distributed a pass to the right circle for Rodrigues. Turning towards the cage, Rodrigues lifted a wrister past kneeling Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson. The puck hit off the underside of goaltender Malcolm Subban’s right arm and caromed into the net.

Rodrigues doesn’t mask the satisfaction that comes with scoring against the team that gave up on him. He’s found the back of the net three times in nine games against the Sabres.

At the same time, it almost has become customary against any opponent.

“It’s always nice scoring against your former team,” Rodrigues said. “It didn’t end the way I wanted it to there. It’s always nice scoring against. At the same time, it’s just taking this game by game and trying to produce and help this team win.”

The Penguins have been winning — six consecutive times, in fact — in part because of the chemistry Rodrigues has established with Crosby, on both the left and right wings. There are few adjustments required with that malleability.

“As a unit on rushes, we crisscross a lot,” Rodrigues said. “Sometimes, I still end up on the right side. For me, when he has the puck entering the zone, I might be more of a shooter, being on my off wing, being able to one-time a puck from there. That’s kind of maybe the only difference. Other than that, we’re just playing, trying to find each other, get open for each other. Each game, we get more and more chemistry.”

Many of Crosby’s linemates over the years, from Andy Hilbert to Jarome Iginla to Guentzel, have taken time to establish chemistry with Crosby, some more quickly and successfully than others. Often, deferring too much to Crosby has impeded that pursuit.

In Rodrigues’ case, Crosby took it upon himself to correct that habit.

“He’s just such a good leader,” Rodrigues said. “He’s kind of one of the guys that will come up to you and tell me not to. He trusts my ability. The past few games, we’ve started to really gain chemistry and find open areas for each other. Sometimes, it takes a handful of games but I think we’re on a good roll here as of late.”

Crosby concurs.

“He’s got a lot of confidence when he shoots it,” Crosby said. “That’s one thing that’s stood out. He’s got a great shot. He’s shooting it a little bit more. … He’s got a great shot, and he’s using it.”

How long the Penguins continue to use Rodrigues on Crosby’s line is anyone’s guess. Guentzel and Rust are working their way back into the lineup, and just about any number of things could happen with regards to covid-19 (and have throughout the NHL over the past week).

In the meantime, Rodrigues, who has logged 159 minutes, 39 seconds of five-on-five ice time with Crosby this season according to Natural Stat Trick, continues to show he’s more than just a fill-in on Crosby’s line.

“It’s just opportunity and confidence,” Rodrigues said. “I got off to a pretty good start earlier in the year. I got a lot of opportunity to play.

“The more plays you make, the more confident you get. I’m just trusting my ability.”

Follow the Penguins all season long.