The Philadelphia Flyers needed a win. They needed a win against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt. With their backs against the wall, they wanted to outlast a young talented Avalanche club. The orange and black wanted to leave “Mile High,” on a high.
This young Flyers team needed someone to light the fire. Someone that was the engine that could. Low and behold Claude Giroux was the engine that could for the orange and black. Giroux tallied the game’s first goal in an eventual 2-1 Flyers victory. Moreover, Giroux’s goal was his 93rd point of the season (Tied his career high), and he needs seven more points to become the first Flyers player to amass 100 points, since Eric Lindros did such in the 1995-96 season. This is would be a historic feat for Giroux, as the 100 point plateau has only been eclipsed eight times in Flyers history (3 times by Bobby Clarke, once by Bill Barber, once by Rick Macleish, twice by Mark Recchi, and once by Eric Lindros).
At age 23, Giroux enjoyed a career year with 93 points in 2011-12, thanks in large part to being paired with the “Ageless Wonder,” Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. For his accomplishments, Giroux finished third in the league in point scoring.
Since then Giroux’s numbers have slowly dipped each season. For the 2015-16 season Giroux produced 67 points in 78 games played. Moreover, for the 2016-17 season Giroux produced 58 points in 82 games played, while only managing to score a measly 14 goals. Giroux knew he had to be better in order for the Flyers to redeem themselves from missing the playoffs.
Unfortunately, Giroux had a tough off-season last year before the World Cup of Hockey. He went under the knife for hip surgery, as well as, surgery to repair a sports hernia. However, Giroux managed to come back before the World Cup of Hockey began in September. It became evident that Giroux was not 100% at the time the tournament began. Moreover, his off-season surgeries really showed throughout the course of the 2016-17 season. Giroux was definitely not Giroux.
It’s no secret that Giroux is the engine that runs the Flyers. As Giroux goes, so does the Flyers. He of course wanted to rebound from a down year, and prove to his critics that he is still a quality center in the NHL in 2017-18. Well Giroux has done just that, as he has been nothing short of fantastic (Finally 100%). For the season, Giroux has registered 27 goals, 66 assists, and is a whopping plus 18. Yes, I said a crazy plus 18. It shows he is doing things right on the ice. Giroux is a team first guy, and that was evident with moving to the wing.
“I think Nolan and Travis also. They’ve been playing great.” Giroux said following the 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins on Sunday. “It’s a team effort out there and we need everybody to be on the same page out there. Right now, that’s how we’re playing.”
With the recent resurgence of the top line that includes Giroux, it makes the orange and black that much tougher to beat. He is one of the most unselfish players in the locker room, and as Giroux goes so does the Flyers. Most successful teams in the NHL have a dominant top line. Fortunately, the Flyers have just that, and they are hoping that carries them into the playoffs. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
