Paging Claude Giroux... Paging Claude Giroux...

[eleven24]

Just wondering, is Giroux playing in this series?  Not only is he not scoring (Braden Holtby currently has more points in the series than G) but he's flat out invisible.  I can't even recall ONE moment in these playoffs where he did something memorable.  Pretty telling when your captain isn't scoring and a complete non-factor.

[AJgoal]

It's especially troubling when he's consistently been the best player on the team in the playoffs prior to this year. He was third among active players in playoff PPG before the playoffs started. But with his numbers starting to trend down, I wonder if he's injured, or if he's past his peak?

[sarsippius]

20 minutes ago, AJgoal said:

It's especially troubling when he's consistently been the best player on the team in the playoffs prior to this year. He was third among active players in playoff PPG before the playoffs started. But with his numbers starting to trend down, I wonder if he's injured, or if he's past his peak?

 

#28 peaked after "the shift". 

 

In a perfect world, three years from now he's your second line center. Although a rather expensive one, how long's that contract? I like him as a part of the long term future, I think he is a very good piece to have, but I don't see him as a franchise cornerstone anymore. Too heavy expectations and the C too early, I dunno

[murraycraven]

29 minutes ago, eleven24 said:

Just wondering, is Giroux playing in this series?  Not only is he not scoring (Braden Holtby currently has more points in the series than G) but he's flat out invisible.  I can't even recall ONE moment in these playoffs where he did something memorable.  Pretty telling when your captain isn't scoring and a complete non-factor.

 

 

I love G but there is no getting around his play this series.  It has been downright invisible as you say.   He made a nice assist to Ovie last night!

[mojo1917]

i think he's spent. 

he's been carrying that team for 3 months.  

He hasn't been good at the dot in this series, in the past he's abused Backstrom in the FO circle i wonder if he's nicked too.  By this time of year everyone is I know .

 

I would like to give the caps some credit for putting some hurry in his game also.

 

[AJgoal]

The problem with coming on the way the Flyers did at the end of the season is that it's not just physically draining, it's emotionally draining. The Flyers put everything they had into getting into the playoffs. For three months. Every win took everything they had, and every loss had to wear on them because they knew they couldn't afford many. It's a tough way to play, and then to have to kick it up once they were there?

[flyercanuck]

When you basically have 4 players driving the entire offence it's not hard to shut it down...especially when you have the Caps depth, a great goalie and an awesome coach. 

[JagerMeister]

2 hours ago, eleven24 said:

Just wondering, is Giroux playing in this series?  Not only is he not scoring (Braden Holtby currently has more points in the series than G) but he's flat out invisible.  I can't even recall ONE moment in these playoffs where he did something memorable.  Pretty telling when your captain isn't scoring and a complete non-factor.

Give me a break. Your whole damn team has difficulty scoring. They have accumulated 4 goals in 3 games. That's absolutely pitiful, the team overachieved and are quite evidently being outmatched in every facet of the game. This tendency to blame Giroux as if he's the problem and is not good enough is becoming very irritating.

[OccamsRazor]

1 hour ago, flyercanuck said:

When you basically have 4 players driving the entire offence it's not hard to shut it down...especially when you have the Caps depth, a great goalie and an awesome coach. 

 

 

Yes. And just watch how the the two teams just play different. The Flyers constantly skate and then stop. Skate and then stop.

 

The Caps do not do this very much at all. The skate and the only thing that changes is the size of their circles...they are always moving always skating circles....you know what they remind me of??

 

Vultures circle a carcass and picking it clean!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That carcass is the Flyers i'm afraid......

 

 

 

 

Here are the Flyer vultures....

 

[JagerMeister]

1 minute ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

 

Yes. And just watch how the the two teams just play different. The Flyers constantly skate and then stop. Skate and then stop.

 

The Caps do not do this very much at all. The skate and the only thing that changes is the size of their circles...they are always moving always skating circles....you know what they remind me of??

 

Vultures circle a carcass and picking it clean!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That carcass is the Flyers i'm afraid......

 

 

 

 

Here are the Flyer vultures....

 

No gif. You disappoint me sir.

[OccamsRazor]

1 minute ago, JagerMeister said:

No gif. You disappoint me sir.

 

 

OOoooops!!!!??????

 

 

 

[eleven24]

19 minutes ago, JagerMeister said:

Give me a break. Your whole damn team has difficulty scoring. They have accumulated 4 goals in 3 games. That's absolutely pitiful, the team overachieved and are quite evidently being outmatched in every facet of the game. This tendency to blame Giroux as if he's the problem and is not good enough is becoming very irritating.

 

First off, your username would've been more apropos for a hockey knowledgeable person such as yourself if it was JagrMeister.  Just saying.

 

Second, they have scored 2 goals in 3 games.  Perhaps you should watch the games first.

Third, I didn't suggest Giroux is not good enough.  He's a terrific hockey player, BUT he's one who has disappeared in a time when this team needs him most.  2 goals in 3 games and your top 3 offensive guys - Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds all have as many points as the opposing teams goaltender... then yes, criticisms are warranted.  Wearing that "C" on your jersey means you need to lift those guys up, but instead G is doing the opposite.

 

So, if that causes irritation with you, then my advice is to stop scratching.  It can get infected that way.

[JagerMeister]

1 hour ago, eleven24 said:

 

 

First off, your username would've been more apropos for a hockey knowledgeable person such as yourself if it was JagrMeister.  Just saying.

JagerMeister had a better ring to it. But idk, that just me. Besides, I believe it was already taken? Not sure.

Quote

Second, they have scored 2 goals in 3 games.  Perhaps you should watch the games first.

Third, I didn't suggest Giroux is not good enough.  He's a terrific hockey player, BUT he's one who has disappeared in a time when this team needs him most.  2 goals in 3 games and your top 3 offensive guys - Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds all have as many points as the opposing teams goaltender... then yes, criticisms are warranted.  Wearing that "C" on your jersey means you need to lift those guys up, but instead G is doing the opposite.

2 goals in 3 games? That just further validates my point. The whole team is being outperformed. They are playing against the best Washington Capitals team ever assembled, while they themselves are overachievers that worked their ass off more then many other teams to get into the playoffs. I understand that the first line is not producing, but how much of that is their fault? Im almost certain that the reason they aren't producing is not because they aren't working hard, that's one thing I never question in Giroux. Idk, I just think that expecting Giroux or even just the first line to elevate them in unrealistic.

Quote

So, if that causes irritation with you, then my advice is to stop scratching.  It can get infected that way.

 

[Bakanekimiwa]

If I recall correctly... G was hit hard in back to back games down the stretch there at the end of the season. Hit hard and high. It looked, to me, that he could have been concussed on the first hit and the 2nd one seemed like another bell ringer. I think it's very possible he's playing through some concussion issues. 

 

There's also the fact that the Caps are executing a game plan to perfection against our top scorers. So... there's that too. 

[flyer4ever]

He is probably carrying injuries into this from the idiotic playoff push. Also, when he is on the ice the skill and speed and quality coaching of the Caps far exceeds anything the Flyers can throw out there. Not a slump, just over matched. This whole playoff thing is a freaking joke.

[Bertmega]

This is just the absolute worst match-up this team could have asked for. The Caps look like some Soviet team that you would read about from the 70's. 

 

First I would like to say Hakstol has done a tremendous job of implementing a system. Think about it, it was run and gun for four years with Lavy, and then there was Craig "Just Skate Hard at the Puck" Berube's system (or lack there of). Sure this team has problems, but I assure you that help is on the way whether it be in the form of a shot of youth via the draft, or from the UFA class. 

 

For once the Flyers have solid goaltending and I am not even remotely concerned about that. They desperately need a quality LW'er to play with Giroux and Voracek, Perhaps the Avs can't resign Boedker and the Flyers can get in on him. 

 

That leaves a great line of Couturier, Simmonds and Schenn behind the top line. 

 

Regarding the 3rd line, I think we'll see Cousins and Laughton again, but Read needs to go. He was good a few years back, but sadly that ship has sailed. And the 4th line is fine by me. The do exactly what they should be doing and they do it well. 

 

That leaves the defense. Ghost, MDZ, Gudas, Striet, Schultz and Provorov? 

 

My eyeball test says that should be better than this season, but there is still a lot of work. 

 

I know that was a lot of rambling, but trust me this disaster (if you want to look at it that way) is not Giroux's fault. He could do more sure, but he could also do a lot less. For once, I do not blame the captain. 

 

 

[eleven24]

19 hours ago, JagerMeister said:

2 goals in 3 games? That just further validates my point. The whole team is being outperformed. They are playing against the best Washington Capitals team ever assembled, while they themselves are overachievers that worked their ass off more then many other teams to get into the playoffs. I understand that the first line is not producing, but how much of that is their fault? Im almost certain that the reason they aren't producing is not because they aren't working hard, that's one thing I never question in Giroux. Idk, I just think that expecting Giroux or even just the first line to elevate them in unrealistic.

 

 

 

My point wasn't that Giroux wasn't producing.  I get that the entire team is overmatched, it's very clear to see.  Yet despite being overmatched the Flyers are outshooting the Caps in this series by, I think, about 10 shots.  So it's not like they're not spending time in the Washington zone, but all of the shots are perimeter shots with little to no chance of going in.  Meanwhile, Washington is scoring because their skill players are picking corners.  

 

With all of those shots on goal, if one of Giroux, Simmonds or Voracek score a goal to tie either of the last two games at 2-2 we could be sitting here, as crazy as it sounds, with the Flyers up in the series despite being completely outmatched.  

 

Just as a bad goal deflates a team, having one of your skill players put a puck in the net at a crucial time CAN elevate an entire team.  Especially one what relies on emotion to overcome their lack of talent.

[mojo1917]

52 minutes ago, eleven24 said:

My point wasn't that Giroux wasn't producing.

that's not what i gathered from your initial post. , You have further clarified where you stand since, but the first post really reads like you think he's loafing.

55 minutes ago, eleven24 said:

Just as a bad goal deflates a team, having one of your skill players put a puck in the net at a crucial time CAN elevate an entire team

I saw this very thing from the Penguins with Sid's powerplay goal last night...that was really a bad goal from the Rangers stand point. ties the game up under a minute left in the period....you are absolutely correct that a timely goal can lift a team.  I think do think some credit should go to the Niskanen Alzner and Carlson Schmidt pairings they have done a nice job of keeping our top line to the outside. 

[Samifan]

3 hours ago, Bertmega said:

This is just the absolute worst match-up this team could have asked for. The Caps look like some Soviet team that you would read about from the 70's. 

 

First I would like to say Hakstol has done a tremendous job of implementing a system. Think about it, it was run and gun for four years with Lavy, and then there was Craig "Just Skate Hard at the Puck" Berube's system (or lack there of). Sure this team has problems, but I assure you that help is on the way whether it be in the form of a shot of youth via the draft, or from the UFA class. 

 

For once the Flyers have solid goaltending and I am not even remotely concerned about that. They desperately need a quality LW'er to play with Giroux and Voracek, Perhaps the Avs can't resign Boedker and the Flyers can get in on him. 

 

That leaves a great line of Couturier, Simmonds and Schenn behind the top line. 

 

Regarding the 3rd line, I think we'll see Cousins and Laughton again, but Read needs to go. He was good a few years back, but sadly that ship has sailed. And the 4th line is fine by me. The do exactly what they should be doing and they do it well. 

 

That leaves the defense. Ghost, MDZ, Gudas, Striet, Schultz and Provorov? 

 

My eyeball test says that should be better than this season, but there is still a lot of work. 

 

I know that was a lot of rambling, but trust me this disaster (if you want to look at it that way) is not Giroux's fault. He could do more sure, but he could also do a lot less. For once, I do not blame the captain. 

 

 

I actually like the line of Simmonds, Schenn and Giroux. I don't like Jake on the same line with G, they are both playmakers rather than finishers. I also HATE Voracek on the point for the PP!

 

You forgot to mention RJ in next years plans ,  

[Bertmega]

3 hours ago, Samifan said:

I actually like the line of Simmonds, Schenn and Giroux. I don't like Jake on the same line with G, they are both playmakers rather than finishers. I also HATE Voracek on the point for the PP!

 

You forgot to mention RJ in next years plans ,  

I can see that your point on his play making ability (Voracek) maybe with a quality LW'er he can get more space. Now that you mention it, I did forget  Umberger. He will always have a special place on the popcorn serving line. 

I would like very much:

 

Boedker-Giroux-Voracek

Schenn-Couturier- Simmonds

Cousins-Laughton-Raffl

VV-PEB-White

 

Ghost-MDZ

Provorov-Schultz

Gudas-Striet 

 

Mason-Neuvy

[AJgoal]

17 minutes ago, Bertmega said:

I would like very much:

 

Boedker-Giroux-Voracek

Schenn-Couturier- Simmonds

 

 

Boedker is 3 years older than Schenn, had 9 fewer goals and 8 fewer points, but you prefer him on the first line? Why?

[Bertmega]

16 hours ago, AJgoal said:

 

Boedker is 3 years older than Schenn, had 9 fewer goals and 8 fewer points, but you prefer him on the first line? Why?

Balance. I think Schenn plays really well with Simmonds and Couturier. He also plays well on the top line, but the way I see it is if they have two solid scoring lines and some complementary scoring from the 3rd line of say Raffl-Laughton-Cousins they will be a far greater threat in 7 game series. 

 

I wouldn't say one is better than the other, more what would work best maintaining balance on the offence.