The Philadelphia Flyers seem to have caught some sort of mojo as they have been 5-0-1 in their last six games. Claude Giroux has been stuffing the score sheet with 8 points in the last 3 games. The team also finally found ways to start getting results at home.
Introduction
This week I will be focusing on the emergence of Claude Giroux’s offense and looking at why he was named one of the three NHL stars of the week. The team has started to find success at home. Then I will look at what’s next for the Flyers as to where they stand in the Metro division, status update on JVR, and their next opponent.
A Star of the Week
Claude Giroux was just named one of the NHL’s star of the week after posting 8 points (3 goals – 5 assists) in the Flyers last 3 games. Giroux’s strong play has helped ignite the offense for the Flyers who were desperate for wins at home after coming back from a very successful road trip. Claude has had 2 or 3 points in each of his last three games. Giroux’s best game of the season so far was probably the 4-0 shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks. Giroux opened up the scoring in the 1st period with a nifty backhand goal after receiving a gift of a turnover from Duncan Keith below his goal line. Giroux then received 2 assists on the next two goals by Sean Couturier. Giroux ended up finishing the game this past Saturday with 3 points and a +4 rating.
Winning at Home
The Philadelphia Flyers opened up a home stand last Thursday Night against the Arizona Coyotes and then had a game against the Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon. I ended going to the game on Thursday night vs Arizona and the Flyers were able to get out to a quick start. The Flyers scored twice within the first six minutes of the game with a a slick backhander by Travis Konecny and then Scott Laughton was able to put home a quick turnaround shot in front of the goalies crease. Then the same old tendencies started to show with the Flyers blowing leads and momentum that they established early in the game. The Flyers found themselves down 4-2 after two periods because the Flyers powerplay unit gave up two short-handed goals in the same two minute main advantage. The Flyers were booed off the ice going into the second intermission. The Flyers though came out ready to go for the third period. Scott Laughton in the game was all over the place he was always skating hard and giving tons of effort to make plays and he was rewarded with another goal in the third. Dale Weise with about two minutes left in the game was able to score a nice top shelf wrist shot on a break away. The Flyers finally showed some fight and perseverance to get the game into overtime. The Flyers had more great fore checking and hustle by veterans to be able to set up Shayne Gostisbehere for the OT winner. Game two of the home stand was the Flyers best team performance all season so far. They were able to shutout the Blackhawks 4-0 and have a strong day from all aspects of the team. Brian Elliot was very good with a 33 save shutout, Claude Giroux had 3 points as well as Sean Couturier.
What’s next?
The Flyers are expecting JVR to be back soon from his injury. JVR was a great player last year for Toronto and added depth and goal scoring for the Flyers, so losing JVR for about six weeks was pretty bad. He was cleared to start practicing again and cleared for contact on Monday to start working himself back into game ready shape. The Flyers will look to continue their success on Tuesday night at home when they host the Florida Panthers. Then finally after the horrendous and inconsistent start to the season the Flyers find themselves 3 points from 1st place in the Metro division even though the standings are quite crowded.
Philly Sports Moments 