PHILADELPHIA – With less than two minutes left on the game clock, and trailing by two, Claude Giroux scored twice, 22 seconds apart to get the Flyers even with the New Jersey Devils at 3-3.
New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers players fight for position in front of netminder Mackenzie Blackwood #29
The outburst got the game to extra time which solved nothing.
“He’s (Girouox) one of the most competitive human beings out there,” the Flyers’ Sean Couturier said. “Anything he does he wants to win, and I think it reflects on everyone on the team and you have no choice [but] to kind of follow up. That’s what makes him such a great leader and great captain.”
Kevin Hayes picked up the deciding goal on penalties to give the Flyers a 4-3 win.
Brian Elliott made 29 saves to get the win and keep the Flyers in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Michael McLeod scored to give the Devils a 1-0 lead.
“I’m pretty confident there that that’s one we should have won,” New Jersey’s Nathan Bastian said. “In the last two minutes, up by two goals, you’ve got to find a way to close it out.”
Couturier scored for the Flyers in regulation, he tied the game, 1-1, in the first period.
Mike Wood scored for a 2-1 New Jersey lead in the middle frame, and Pavel Zacha pushed the lead out to 3-1 before Giroux’s heroics.
“[I] thought we moved the puck well, we skated well,” New Jersey head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We probably passed up a lot of good opportunities to widen that [3-1] margin. We tried to make the right plays. … [I] thought we had a little panic late, that last minute and a half, and we’ll get by that.”
Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves in the loss.
Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils player crash into GoalieMackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils
Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils intercepts a pass intended for Kevin Hayes #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers in front of Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils
Jakub Voracek #93 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves in as Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils take a slap shot
Nolan Patrick #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers attempts to clear Jesper Boqvist #90 of the New Jersey Devils from in front of Philadelphia Goaltender Brian Elliott #37
Wade Allison #57 of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Ryan Murray #22 of the New Jersey Devils
Linesmen separate Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils players after the whistle
Damon Severson #28 of the New Jersey Devils battles for control of the puck against Wade Allison #57 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Michael McLeod #20 of the New Jersey Devils checks Jakub Voracek #93 of the Philadelphia Flyers
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