The Rangers have been quite effective in keeping Giroux quiet offensively. It happens. I'm still hoping he has a breakout game in this series, but if he doesn't, I'll be the first to give the Rangers credit rather than blaming G.
- tangent_man

Yeah. I think he's holding his own at even strength against McDonagh and Girardi, but he hasn't racked up the PP points. Of the three PP goals, 1 was an EN and 1 was from the 2nd unit.

If G can collect some PP points, I think he'll come out on the right end of that matchup. He's +3 with McDonagh on the ice. McDonagh may be slowing him down, but it's not like the Rangers are dominating Giroux. I just think G needs to shoot more often.

Guess it's a good thing that Rick Nash hasn't scored yet either, huh?
- AllInForFlyers

Rick Nash has played awesome, mind you. If Giroux was playing great and not scoring, fine that happens.

Not playing and not scoring? Not supposed to happen.

Big difference.

When you accept getting shut down as possible, doesn't that have a pretty serious negative impact?

You guys are clowning yourselves with statements like this.

You say it happens. Sure. It does. It happens everytime we play the Rangers.
- Flyersgod

I'm not a clown -- at all. It's borderline irritating that you clearly don't know enough about the history of this sport to even discuss this rationally -- you're just going to keep complaining about Claude Giroux until he scores a goal. Then, if he does and they still lose, it's entirely possible you'll find someone else to scapegoat.

I'm not a clown -- at all. It's borderline irritating that you clearly don't know enough about the history of this sport to even discuss this rationally -- you're just going to keep complaining about Claude Giroux until he scores a goal. Then, if he does and they still lose, it's entirely possible you'll find someone else to scapegoat.
- AllInForFlyers

I'll settle for him showing up to play.

I'm not scapegoating anyone. When your best offensive player plays the way Giroux plays you don't win the series. It's a simple concept.

Rick Nash has played awesome, mind you. If Giroux was playing great and not scoring, fine that happens.

Not playing and not scoring? Not supposed to happen.

Big difference.
- Flyersgod

So the difference between Rick Nash's "awesome" and Claude Giroux's "terrible" is the two extra assists that Rick Nash has...in a series that's tied 2-2?

Yeah, OK. Sure.

You up for tomorrow?
- tangent_man

If I can breath out of my nose

I'm not a clown -- at all. It's borderline irritating that you clearly don't know enough about the history of this sport to even discuss this rationally -- you're just going to keep complaining about Claude Giroux until he scores a goal. Then, if he does and they still lose, it's entirely possible you'll find someone else to scapegoat.
- AllInForFlyers

So the difference between Rick Nash's "awesome" and Claude Giroux's "terrible" is the two extra assists that Rick Nash has...in a series that's tied 2-2?

Yeah, OK. Sure.
- AllInForFlyers

You've got to be kidding me. You actually think Giroux is playing well?

Oates and McPhee out in Washington.

Next up - Ovie goes to Russia.
- tangent_man

I'm sure the Caps are hoping he does

I'm a 31 year old Bridge Inspector who played a few years of high school hockey and men's league. I can't give Giroux advice on how to play better outside of play harder.

He isn't doing what needs to be done. End of story. You want to excuse that? Fine. But don't act like you guys are right in doing so. He's flat out sucked.
- Flyersgod

You don't know what he could do except 'play harder, be better', yet you criticize the piss out of him.

Are you willing to credit the Rangers for focusing on him, or is that a crap argument, too?

I'm not a clown -- at all. It's borderline irritating that you clearly don't know enough about the history of this sport to even discuss this rationally -- you're just going to keep complaining about Claude Giroux until he scores a goal. Then, if he does and they still lose, it's entirely possible you'll find someone else to scapegoat.
- AllInForFlyers

yaaay

If I can breath out of my nose
- PhillySportsGuy

I suppose that would help. Feel better, man.

i'm just as disappointed as anyoe in G's lack of production - sometimes your top gun's just don't get it done. maybe he's hurt. maybe the rangers are simply shutting him down. maybe he's throwing the series in a gambling scandal. who knows. the fact is they have enough depth to make up for it - those guys need to step up, too. hartnell, simmonds, bunny, schenn...

they can win without him scoring. mason needs to do what he did, and the flyers need to neutralize rangers speed through the neutral zone. they shut down all that quick out diagonal pass bullpoop and started to forecheck with a purpose, good gap control.

i would really REALLY like to see the flyers start strong, get the lead, and take that (frank)ing crowd out of the game. if they're trailing going into the 3rd...forget it.

You've got to be kidding me. You actually think Giroux is playing well?
- Flyersgod

No -- I don't. But if you think Rick Nash is playing "awesome," then it's clear that you expect Giroux to do something superhuman -- because the Flyers defense isn't nearly as strong as the Rangers', and Nash has TWO MORE ASSISTS over four games.

The Flyers aren't able to put a shutdown pair out there like the Rags can. But you're totally willing to give Rick Nash some kind of production pass, when the Flyers had their backup goalie in net, when the Rangers are actively attempting to shut down Giroux with a freaking Vezina winner in their net.

It's Typical Philadelphia -- love Jeff Garcia, hate Donovan McNabb. Love Aaron Rowand, boo Mike Schmidt.

Oates and McPhee out in Washington.

Next up - Ovie goes to Russia.
- tangent_man

that's bad news for the flyers.

i hope ovie goes to russia for the sole reason that we won't be subjected to any more of his horrible commercials.

You don't know what he could do except 'play harder, be better', yet you criticize the piss out of him.

Are you willing to credit the Rangers for focusing on him, or is that a crap argument, too?
- tangent_man

I don't give credit to opponents. Not a way I roll. The Rangers have shut down all of our players, but they have a specific game plan for Giroux. Up to Giroux and the coaching staff to find a way through it. Change some things up. If the one timer on the PP from the top of the circle is being sniffed out from Game 1, you should probably assume it's going to be sniffed out in game 4.

It's a game of adjustments in the playoffs. I don't care that he hasn't scored. I care that he has been a complete non-factor.

I think he's injured and that's why he's having a tough series.

I suppose that would help. Feel better, man.
- tangent_man

No -- I don't. But if you think Rick Nash is playing "awesome," then it's clear that you expect Giroux to do something superhuman -- because the Flyers defense isn't nearly as strong as the Rangers', and Nash has TWO MORE ASSISTS over four games.

The Flyers aren't able to put a shutdown pair out there like the Rags can. But you're totally willing to give Rick Nash some kind of production pass, when the Flyers had their backup goalie in net, when the Rangers are actively attempting to shut down Giroux with a freaking Vezina winner in their net.

It's Typical Philadelphia -- love Jeff Garcia, hate Donovan McNabb. Love Aaron Rowand, boo Mike Schmidt.
- AllInForFlyers

So you accuse me of looking at the stats and saying Giroux needs to do more.. than you compare Nash's play to Giroux's by comparing stats only?

You're a little drunk on the orange and black kool aide.

that's bad news for the flyers.

i hope ovie goes to russia for the sole reason that we won't be subjected to any more of his horrible commercials.
- hammarby31

They'll get a coach that runs a defense first system and Ovie will be on the next plane.

So you accuse me of looking at the stats and saying Giroux needs to do more.. than you compare Nash's play to Giroux's by comparing stats only?

You're a little drunk on the orange and black kool aide.
- Flyersgod

And you're choking on the bitter taste of Haterade.

They'll get a coach that runs a defense first system and Ovie will be on the next plane.
- tangent_man

I thought Oates was a defense first type guy.

They might as well just let the team run around. At least they were exciting to watch and made the playoffs. This version of the Caps is much less exciting.

i'm just as disappointed as anyoe in G's lack of production - sometimes your top gun's just don't get it done. maybe he's hurt. maybe the rangers are simply shutting him down. maybe he's throwing the series in a gambling scandal. who knows. the fact is they have enough depth to make up for it - those guys need to step up, too. hartnell, simmonds, bunny, schenn...

they can win without him scoring. mason needs to do what he did, and the flyers need to neutralize rangers speed through the neutral zone. they shut down all that quick out diagonal pass bullpoop and started to forecheck with a purpose, good gap control.

i would really REALLY like to see the flyers start strong, get the lead, and take that (frank)ing crowd out of the game. if they're trailing going into the 3rd...forget it.
- hammarby31

The issue with the depth scoring is that the Rangers have it too and their top line is producing.

Look, Giroux is an awesome player. He's just not playing like one. I don't care what the reason is. It doesn't matter.

Hilarious to see apologists on here for Giroux. He's playing bad, end of story. I'm not saying trade the guy.

No -- I don't. But if you think Rick Nash is playing "awesome," then it's clear that you expect Giroux to do something superhuman -- because the Flyers defense isn't nearly as strong as the Rangers', and Nash has TWO MORE ASSISTS over four games.

The Flyers aren't able to put a shutdown pair out there like the Rags can. But you're totally willing to give Rick Nash some kind of production pass, when the Flyers had their backup goalie in net, when the Rangers are actively attempting to shut down Giroux with a freaking Vezina winner in their net.

It's Typical Philadelphia -- love Jeff Garcia, hate Donovan McNabb. Love Aaron Rowand, boo Mike Schmidt.
- AllInForFlyers

Love Vinny L, hate B Schenn

I don't give credit to opponents. Not a way I roll. The Rangers have shut down all of our players, but they have a specific game plan for Giroux. Up to Giroux and the coaching staff to find a way through it. Change some things up. If the one timer on the PP from the top of the circle is being sniffed out from Game 1, you should probably assume it's going to be sniffed out in game 4.

It's a game of adjustments in the playoffs. I don't care that he hasn't scored. I care that he has been a complete non-factor.

I think he's injured and that's why he's having a tough series.
- Flyersgod

I have an inkling you're right. I think something's ailing him, too.