Claude Giroux had a remarkable series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, accumulating six goals and eight assists that propelled him to the top of the NHLs postseason scoring list.
For the three games of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New Jersey Devils, though, its been a very different story for Giroux. He has one goal and is a combined minus-3 through the series.
Giroux has appeared absent for stretches at a time through each of the three games. Hes had moments where hes looked as sharp as he did against Pittsburgh, but theyre spread too far apart. On Thursday night in the Flyers 4-3 overtime loss in Game 3, he won only 45 percent of the faceoffs he took.
The issue, Scott Hartnell said, is that it seems the rest of the team is following suit
I think everyones frustrated, Hartnell said. I know me personally, Im frustrated. You can tell with Giroux that he wants to make something happen every time hes on the ice, and I think we all know thats basically impossible. Whether its losing a puck battle at the wrong time or whatever, it seems like its almost contagious right now. Everybodys doing it.
After the Game 3 loss, the Flyers were quick to blame themselves for the games outcomes and for their strugglesto point fingers at what they werent able to do or didnt do well enough. Giroux was one of the players to acknowledge the need to be better.
In reality, as coach Peter Laviolette said, the Flyers are adjusting to a very different series from the quarterfinals against the Penguins. For whatever reason, the Devils style has forced Girouxand others among the Flyers big gunsto go quiet.
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Well, theyre completely different series right now, Laviolette said. The real estate is hard to come by. The scoring chances are not as significant. The speed up and down the ice is not as significant. Its more zone time and battling as opposed to rushes up and down the ice. I think its just a completely different look and feel than the first series.
Couturier update
Rookie Sean Couturier left Thursdays game in the first period and didnt return. It is believed he sustained a cut to his right leg by Devils forward David Clarkson.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com