Larry Henry Jr
Claude Giroux has been a staple of the Philadelphia Flyers offense for numerous seasons and delivered a clutch performance on Thursday after an ugly start overall from the team.
Giroux scored twice including the game-winner with under three minutes to play as the Flyers erased a three-goal first period deficit to win 4-3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite allowing three goals in the opening 3:57 of the game, the Orange and Black rebounded nicely from Tuesday’s disappointing result.
It was all Pittsburgh in the opening minutes of the first period as Mike Sullivan’s team scored three goals right off the bat. Kris Letang scored his fifth goal of the season, breaking the deadlock 2:46 into the game before former Flyer defenseman Mark Friedman scored his first goal for the Black and Yellow.
Jared McCann’s tip-in finish after a shot from Kasperi Kapanen would extend the Pens early advantage to 3-0 and put the Flyers in an early hole on the road. Brian Elliott’s defense didn’t help him out, following in the trend of Tuesday’s three-goal defeat.
However, the Orange and Black would answer back on the power play as Sean Couturier blasted a slap shot off the crossbar and in for his sixth tally of the 2021 season.
Coots extends an already career-high point-streak to eight games with this missile.
The Selke Trophy Winner has 6g-6a over that stretch. #AnytimeAnywhere | #PHIvsPIT pic.twitter.com/96vDMCdEVn
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 5, 2021
The Flyers picked up their play after the first intermission and pulled to within one thanks to great awareness around the goal by Claude Giroux. A wide open Oskar Lindblom wasn’t able to beat Tristan Jarry from point-blank range, but Giroux picked up the rebound to score his second goal of the season.
Let's find one more G.
The third period is underway! #AnytimeAnywhere | #PHIvsPIT pic.twitter.com/MQ50ktRU12
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 5, 2021
Travis Konecny had several good looks in the game to break his goalless streak, hitting the post twice and also being denied by Jarry from close range.
Scott Laughton tied things up late in the third period after benefitting from crashing the net. Giroux’s wrist shot deflected off the forward and past Jarry to give the Flyers a chance to steal two points from Pittsburgh.
Giroux’s tap-in finish with 2:08 remaining completed the comeback for Alain Vigneault’s team, who rebounded nicely from Tuesday’s defeat. It was a stellar performance from Giroux, who has found the goals hard to come by in 2021.
The Captain didn't hear no bell. #AnytimeAnywhere | @28CGiroux pic.twitter.com/BrZ5GB8prk
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 5, 2021
The Flyers close out a five-game road trip on Saturday afternoon against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
Subscribe, rate, and review all Philly Influencer podcasts here. Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.