Philadelphia Flyers: It’s time for Claude Giroux to step up

It’s time for Philadelphia Flyers Captain Claude Giroux to step on the stage.

Back in the 2012 playoff series between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Claude Giroux put together one of the most memorable opening shifts in recent history. In Game 6 of that series, Giroux famously requested to start the game so he could set the tone. That is exactly what he did.

Five seconds into that game, “G” put Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby on his butt with a huge check. 27 seconds later, the Flyers captain sniped one top-shelf to give the Orange and Black a 1-0 lead. The tempo had been set; Giroux was the alpha male on the ice.

The Philadelphia Flyers went on to win that series, the last playoff series the team has won to date. While that playoff run ended in the next round to the New Jersey Devils, Giroux was fantastic tallying 17 points in 10 playoff games that spring. Simply put, Giroux had proven to be a big time player. Something he had shown during the Flyers run to the Cup Finals in the spring of 2010 as well; when he posted 21 points in 23 playoff games.

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Since that 2012 playoff run, Giroux has been invisible at times in big playoff spots for the Philadelphia Flyers. As mentioned, the team has not won a playoff series in eight years; and in the 27 playoff games Giroux has appeared in since, he has posted three goals and 11 assists.

This postseason alone, number 28 has posted a mere four points in eight games; all of which have been assists. Even in the Game 5 loss to the Canadiens where Giroux recorded two assists, it still left fans wondering where the heck is their Captain when they need him most?

To be fair to Claude Giroux, the past 7-8 years, the Philadelphia Flyers have been filled with mediocre rosters that really have not been able to help the captain at all. You can argue he single handedly carried the team to the playoffs at times; especially in 2017-18 when he posted a career high 102 points, willing the Flyers to a postseason berth.

The Flyers and Canadiens are set to play Game 6 on Friday. The Orange and Black are going to need their captain to step up and help lead the team past Montreal. The group has been able to get out to a 3-2 series lead behind strong defense and goaltending (aside from Game 5), but to get over the hump they are going to need their Captain.

Personally, I have always been an advocate for Claude Giroux; especially in the postseason. It is hard to judge him for the past couple seasons as he really has had no help, nor has the team had much goaltending. However, those excuses do not exist this postseason, and it is getting harder to continue to defend the Captain.

With that said, I fully believe “G” is capable of having a huge Game 6. However, it doesn’t actually matter if I think it can happen, it is up to Claude Giroux to step on the stage and make it happen.