Tonight, we’re all dropping the misery at the door. It’s all about Claude Giroux. He’ll play his 1,000th game in a Philadelphia Flyers sweater.
Before faceoff, there will be a ceremony for the captain. He’s one of two people to accomplish this feat in franchise history. The other was none other than Bobby Clarke. Stanley Cup or not, we’re celebrating a future Hall of Famer. The ceremony cannot help but feel like a swan song, however.
Giroux is at the forefront of the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. He sits atop the TSN Hockey Trade Bait list. Last night, the Florida Panthers declared they’re still interested in Giroux. The writing is on the wall for a departure, and it’s dually supported; the Flyers need a good return, and the fanbase needs Giroux to reach the pinnacle of professional hockey.
Pack the house, Philadelphia. Despite the current state of this team, it’s time to show out for the longest-tenured athlete in the city.
He’s sacrificed a lot, and tonight could be his last stand on home ice with the Flyers versus the Nashville Predators.
Nashville Predators (35-21-4; 74pts)
Scratched from the lineup are Mark Borowiecki (lower body,) Matthew Benning (healthy,) and Matt Luff (healthy.) Sources haven’t confirmed, but Benning and Luff could be dodging Giroux because they know of that time he beat Craig Berube in an arm-wrestling match.
The projected starting lineup for the Predators (click link for actual lines:)
not Giroux-not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux-not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux-not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux-not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux-not Giroux
not Giroux
(not Giroux)
Giroux tallied fifteen points (7G, 8A) in seventeen games (a probable rate of scoring of 88.2%) against Nashville over his career. Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the Predators franchise only has eight seasons on Giroux’s career journey. When he takes to the ice against Nashville, the Flyers are 9-5-3 during Giroux’s career.
A Philadelphia Fly-By
Missing from the lineup is Sean Couturier (back,) Scott Laughton (concussion,) Ryan Ellis (lower body), and Nate Thompson (shoulder.) Luckily, Giroux is a natural red beard; something Chuck Fletcher might consider trading for at the deadline to maintain the status quo.
The projected lineup for the Flyers (click link for actual lines:)
Giroux-Giroux-Giroux
Giroux-Giroux-Giroux
Giroux-Giroux-Giroux
Giroux-Giroux-Giroux
Giroux-Giroux
Giroux-Giroux
Giroux-Giroux
Giroux
(Giroux)
Have you ever typed a name so often that it no longer looks correct? His top line should be a force tonight with Morgan Frost and Travis Konecny, hoping to continue from a strong performance following a frustrating loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Frost thrives with Giroux; he played his best game of the season versus the Canadiens last Sunday.
Props/Prediction
Giroux is going to score a point. Bet on it. Take the Philadelphia Flyers on the money line. *If you’re going to a casino, put all the chips on “Black 28.”
*not advice, just unrivaled confidence
Flyers 4, Predators 3 (OT)
(Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)
