Giroux takes NHL scoring lead; suspension for Bourdon?
BUFFALO — Claude Giroux had the third four-point game of his career – and second in the young season – as he sparked the Flyers to a thrilling 5-4 overtime win in Buffalo on Wednesday.
With the performance, Giroux passed Toronto's Phil Kessel and now leads the NHL with 36 points.
"I'm not too worried about that right now," said Giroux, who won the game by interception a pass, skating down ice and scoring on a breakaway midway through the overtime. "We're just trying to play better as a team, and the way we played tonight is the kind of win we like to have."
The Flyers overcame a 3-0 first-period deficit, and they got goals from Max Talbot, Matt Read, Scott Hartnell, Jaromir Jagr and Giroux.
BTW, no Flyer has ever won the NHL scoring title.
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Giroux has five game-winning goals, tying him for No. 1 in the NHL. He has scored the game-winner in the last three contests.
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In the second period, Marc-Andre Bourdon won a fight against Buffalo's Matt Ellis. The bout started after the Flyers' rookie defenseman hit Nathan Gerbe into the boards from behind. Bourdon could be disciplined by the league for the hit.
Gerbe left the game and may have suffered a concussion.After the game, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff strongly hinted that Bourdon should be suspended.
If that happens, Matt Walker would replace Bourdon, who has been impressive thus far.
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It marked the second time in the last three games that the Flyers had overcome a three-goal deficit and posted a win. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it's only the third time in franchise history the Flyers have done it twice in one season.
It's the first time they have done it with both games being on the road.
On Friday, they overcame a 3-0 deficit and defeated host Anaheim, 4-3, in OT.
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So who starts in goal Thursday against the Sidney Crosby-less Penguins?
My guess: Sergei Bobrovsky. Then again, I thought "Bob" was going to start in Buffalo.
Ilya Bryzgalov notched another win Wednesday, but he continued his inconsistent play.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter@BroadStBull.
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