The Philadelphia Flyers are already missing Michal Neuvirth for the rest of the regular season, which could put a strain on their goalie situation and playoff hopes. So when Claude Giroux had to leave Saturday’s game after taking a hard hit into the boards, there was an alarming possibility that another key player would go down at a key point in the playoff race.
Giroux was shoved from behind with one hand by Arizona’s Martin Hanzal late in Saturday’s game, a play for which Hanzal got a five-minute boarding major. Giroux left the ice and a melee quickly followed the hit. Arizona won the game 2-1.
On Sunday, the Flyers and their fans got a bit of good news, though, as Giroux said he was feeling “pretty good.”
The Flyers return to Philadelphia on Sunday night, when an update is expected on Giroux’s status. The team’s next game is Monday night at home against the Winnipeg Jets.
Through 74 games, the Flyers hold on to the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with 85 points. They have a game in hand of Detroit, who also has 85 points, and they sit four points behind the New York Islanders.
