Claude Giroux’s Return Sparks a 4-3 Response Win for the Flyers

The Flyers took on the Rangers at home tonight and it was a high scoring game filled with penalties. With some solid goaltending, and enough offensive firepower the Flyers captured two points against the Rangers with a final score of 4-3.
First Period
The Flyers had some serious jump in their step to start this game and it was quite refreshing to see. It all started with a high energy shift from the newly created Giroux – Hayes – Patrick line getting in on the forecheck and causing chaos. Gustafsson struck first on a point bomb assisted by Gostisbehere and Giroux.
🚀 Teed up perfectly. 🚀#AnytimeAnywhere | #NYRvsPHI pic.twitter.com/YAcGjqGmRh
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 25, 2021
After the goal the Rangers would be given a powerplay and respond with a goal to tie the game, but the Flyers would then score again on a powerplay of their own. This time it was Ghost from Gustafsson and Giroux, two points each in the period for those players.
👻🐻 with a beauty and the blueliners are taking it to the blue shirts. #AnytimeAnywhere | #NYRvsPHI pic.twitter.com/bHLT8iVZkw
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 25, 2021
After a much needed penalty kill the Flyers would push the pace more and walk out of the period up 2-1.
Second Period
The story of this period and the majority of the game was the penalty box. Both of these teams were throwing momentum away at will and it made for an eventful period. Farabee and JVR would connect for a powerplay marker and continue their heater to make it 3-1.
The 8️⃣6️⃣➡️2️⃣5️⃣ chemistry is real. #AnytimeAnywhere | #NYRvsPHI pic.twitter.com/npkvk6Ov73
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 25, 2021
James Van-Riemsdyk has been quite the redemption story this year and it’s remarkable to see. Chuck Fletcher was right all along when he say he’d be a key contributor this season.
New York got the game within one with another powerplay goal but it was responded by Kevin Hayes who scored a beautiful snipe that was assisted by Giroux… his THIRD point of the night. 4-2 Philly.
going roofing. #AnytimeAnywhere | @KevinPHayes12 pic.twitter.com/4lualEiGfi
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 25, 2021
Twarynski took a rough penalty towards the end of the period and continued the trend of bad discipline in this game and quite honestly this season. That has got to be sured up, no wonder Boston keeps torching us.
Third Period
It seemed like the Flyers were going to do the classic “turtle up and let our goalie win the game” strategy they’ve been doing this year after allowing a quick goal to Chris Kreider to pull the Rangers within one. This wasn’t the case; the Flyers actually had plenty of chances to put this game away. Farabee had a breakaway out of the box and Giroux had one of his own… credit to Sheshterkin.
Brian Elliott closed the lock on this game like he’s done many times over the last year and a half. It’s so huge to have a cost-effective backup that can be a calming presence when Hart is going through a potential rough patch. Moose was key tonight and saved the game for us on many occasions, especially the breakaway stop on Zibanejad. He helped closed the game out and the final score was 4-3.
Final shots were 39-27 Flyers to end this contest and I can confidently say this is the best I’ve seen the Flyers play within their system all year. A step in the right direction and a huge building block for future momentum.
The #Flyers WIN 4-3!!!
– 39 shots for the Flyers
– Farabee and JVR stay 🔥
– The Captain returned in a big way
– Elliott locked the door
– Nolan Patrick was buzzingOn to Buffalo next. Let’s keep this going. #AnytimeAnywhere
pic.twitter.com/PsUUDeV9pG— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) February 25, 2021
Quick Thoughts
– Giroux looked like he was 25 years old again tonight, all over the ice and posting three assists.
– Farabee and JVR have been the biggest story of the season so far and who knows where the Flyers would be without them.
– Gostisbehere had some jump in him tonight and was snapping the puck around. Scored a beautiful goal too.
– Finally a game where we dominate most of the play and the shots on goal. Hopefully a sign of the team buying in to the system again.
– It would be big to get these wins against Buffalo coming up, let’s get it done.
On to the next.
Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Flyers