Philly needs Giroux to fly higher
Hart Trophy candidate MIA so far in opening round series against Penguins
PHILADELPHIA — Claude Giroux carried the Philadelphia Flyers into the playoffs.
The Hart Trophy candidate might be the reason they get knocked out in the first round, if he can’t become the force the Flyers need him to be to have a chance against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Only six years ago, Giroux was dubbed “best in the world” by former coach Peter Laviolette after he posted six goals and eight assists in six games and a rare playoff series win over the Penguins. Playing in a major market, Giroux was on his way toward NHL superstardom.
Six years later, the Penguins have won two Stanley Cups, the Flyers haven’t advanced out of the first round, and Giroux’s standing as one of the NHL’s best has wildly fluctuated: The 30-year-old followed two mediocre seasons with a career year this season, reaching personal highs in goals (34), assists (68) and points (102). He added a hat trick on the final day.
His production has again vanished in the playoffs.
The Flyers captain has no goals and just one assist in three games — the Penguins hold a 2-1 series lead headed into Game 4 Wednesday — in a post-season slump that dates to 2014. He had no goals and one assist in six games against Washington in 2016 and scored two goals in seven games in 2014 against the New York Rangers.
Giroux’s last playoff goal came on April 29, 2014.
In the Game 3 loss to Pittsburgh, Giroux took four shots on goal and led the Flyers with 10 shot attempts — four on goal, one that was blocked and five that missed.
“There’s a lot of hockey left to play here,” Giroux said. “I have no doubt that we’re going to come out strong in Game 4.”
Jake Voracek and Wayne Simmonds (who dropped from 31 goals in 2017 to 24 this season) are also scoreless for the Flyers.
The Penguins will play Game 4 without Patric Hornqvist, who has a goal and two assists in the series and is out with an undisclosed injury.
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Only four NHL teams have taken a 3-0 series lead like San Jose has over Anaheim and lost a best-of-seven series. The Sharks just happen to be one of them.
That’s why the Sharks head into Game 4 at home against the Ducks on Wednesday with a sense of urgency to close out the series.
“Enough has happened in this room where I think we understand the challenges that still lie ahead of us,” captain Joe Pavelski said.
The Sharks have controlled the series, outscoring Anaheim 14-3 following an 8-1 victory in Game 3.
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Nashville turned up the intensity in practice on Tuesday, complete with some light hitting and vigorous
battles for the puck in front of goaltender Pekka Rinne.
The Predators lead the Avalanche 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Wednesday, but Colorado has outscored Nashville by a collective 5-0 margin in first periods throughout the series.
Colorado went through an optional practice with defenceman Samuel Girard on the ice wearing a non-contact sweater. He’s missed
the last two games with an upperbody injury.
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Tampa Bay holds a 2-1 series lead over New Jersey headed into Game 4 on Wednesday. But New Jersey’s 5-2 win over the Lightning on Monday was a sign that the Devils should trust the ... progress?
The Devils are owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the
same company that also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers, accompanied by the now familiar “Trust The Process” slogan, went from 10 wins two seasons ago to 53 and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference this year while the Devils made a stunning run from the worst team in the East to the post-season in a year.
All the Devils need is a catchphrase.