Giroux’s four points help Flyers crush Sabres
Claude Giroux was nervous about centering the Philadelphia Flyers’ top line for the first time in two seasons.
Once he settled in, Giroux guided the Flyers to their most goals in a game in nearly two months. Philadelphia’s captain had a goal and three assists Saturday in a 6-2 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo, New York.
“I’d like to tell you it’s like riding a bike, but it’s not,” Giroux said. “But it turned out great tonight.”
With Sean Couturier out because of a lowerbody injury, Giroux moved from right wing to center in Philadelphia’s lead group of forwards. He had four points in a game for the first time since an Oct. 14, 2017 win over Washington. “It’s not easy but he’s a natural centerman,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “He’s our captain and stepped up in a lot of different fashions tonight.”
James van Riemsdyk also moved up to the top line and had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who opened a five-game road trip with their third win in 10 games.
Ivan Provorov, Wayne Simmonds, Dale Weise and Travis Konecny also scored. Michael Raffl had two assists and Anthony Stolarz made 28 saves.
After scoring twice in the third period to force overtime and earn a point in a 4-3 loss to Columbus on Thursday, the Flyers scored six straight after the Sabres took a 2-0 lead.
Giroux’s shorthanded goal gave the Flyers a 3-2 lead early in the third period. Simmonds, Weise and Konecny each scored from close range in a span of less than three minutes to put the game out of reach.
KINGS 5, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1: Derek Forbort had a goal and an assist, Jonathan Quick made 29 saves and Los Angeles beat Vegas. Nikita Scherbak, Matt Luff, Jeff Carter and Nate Thompson also scored to help the Kings. LIGHTNING 7, AVALANCHE 1: Steven Stamkos had two goals and two assists as Tampa Bay won its sixth consecutive game, beating Colorado. Tampa Bay also got two goals from Ondrej Palat. ISLANDERS 3, RED WINGS 2: Matt Martin scored a tiebreaking goal with 16:36 remaining in the third period, capping a comeback for New York over Detroit. The Islanders trailed 2-0 after the first period but rallied. RANGERS 5, PANTHERS 4, SO: Kevin Hayes had the deciding goal in the third round of the shootout, lifting New York past Florida. BRUINS 6, MAPLE LEAFS 3: David Krejci had a goal and assist to move past Hall of Famer Cam Neely for 10th on the Bruins’ career scoring list, and Boston beat Toronto to snap a threegame losing streak. SENATORS 2, PENGUINS 1, OT: Ryan Dzingel scored on a power play at 1:20 of overtime to lift Ottawa past Pittsburgh.
SHARKS 5, COYOTES 3: Lukas Radil scored his first NHL goal to break a tie with 5:47 to play in San Jose’s victory over Arizona.