Krueger tried putting Rodrigues in position for his first career hat trick late in the game, sending him out for shifts alongside Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. The latter set him up with a chance in front of the net, but Howard was able to make the save.
"It's great to see him score a couple of goals," Krueger said. "Every day is a new day, but he's worked hard through some adversity here. I'm pleased for him. We tried to get him the hat trick and the team is really supportive of players in difficult situations. I thought the group around him helped him, too. It was just a good team game and he was part of it."
Indeed, the season has not always been smooth for Rodrigues, who last season set career-highs in games (79), points (29), and average ice time (15:49). He found himself in and out of the lineup, appearing in 25 of the team's first 45 contests. He was on the wrong end of at least two saves that will live on end-of-year highlight reels.
Through it all, he says, he remained confident.
"At the end of the day, it's hockey, and you keep reminding yourself and keep believing in yourself," he said. "I believe in myself that I can do it. I'm saying it again, but it was going to go in eventually and it was obviously nice to see them go in. Hopefully that continues."