Early game day for the Penguins and Flyers today. Big game for both clubs as they both look to earn that x next to their name in the standings. A win today by Philadelphia would tie them in points with Pittsburgh. The Flyers are in a decent spot playoff wise as it looks like the Devils and Panthers will be the final two teams battling for the last playoff spot. They couldn't have been thrilled about Friday night's Devils game which saw the Devils earning two non-shootout points and the Penguins getting the extra.
As of this morning the Flyers jumped back in front of Columbus as the most likely opponent for the Penguins in round one. There is a 74% chance it is either Philadelphia or Columbus according to Hockeyviz. We very well could be getting another Flyers and Penguins series and why not? It's been a few years. A big reason for that has been Claude Giroux.
In 2011-12 there were some laughable baton passing memes being created over one playoff series when the Penguins goaltending was scraping the low .800's. Sidney Crosby has since won a couple of Stanley Cups and Conn Smyth trophies while picking up another Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Rocket Richard Trophy, and two Ted Linday awards. This isn't meant as a dig to Claude Giroux just the narrative from way back when. There's no baton stealing taking place this time around because Connor McDavid has stolen that thing, but Giroux is having a tremendous season. The past three years saw a drop in Claude Giroux's even-strength production. Last year it dropped to 0.94 points per 60 which is Tanner Glass territory. This year he's one of the best in the NHL at 2.66.
This was from the other day
I don't think too many people were predicting a return to 2011-12 form for Claude Giroux this year, but that is exactly what he's done. As a result the Flyers have been in the thick of the playoff chase for the last half of the season. Even after a brutal ten game losing streak at the beginning of the season.
At least if the two teams wind the clock back to 2011-12 this spring Danny Briere wouldn't go offside again. We have a great replay process for that now...
Thanks for reading!