Giroux continues to struggle in playoffs
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 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 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 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. Only four NHL teams have taken a 3-0 series lead like San Jose has over Anaheim and lost a best-ofseven series. The Sharks just happen to be one of them.
That’s one reason the Sharks head into Game 4 at home Wednesday with a sense of urgency.
“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.
Nashville turned up the intensity in practice Tuesday, complete with some light hitting and vigorous battles for the puck.
The Predators lead the Avalanche 2-1 heading into Game 4 Wednesday, but have been outscored by a 5-0 margin by Colorado in the first period.
Colorado went through an optional practice and had defenceman Samuel Girard wearing a noncontact sweater. He has missed two games with an upper-body injury. Tampa Bay holds a 2-1 series lead over New Jersey headed into Game 4 Wednesday. But New Jersey ’s 5-2 win over the Lightning on Monday was at least a sign 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. Team owner Josh Harris attended the 76ers’ Game 2 loss in Philadelphia on Monday.
The 76ers, accompanied by the now-familiar “Trust The Process” slogan, went from 10 wins two seasons ago to 53 this year while the Devils went from the worst team in the East to the post-season.
All the Devils need is a catchphrase.