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Claude Giroux carried the Philadelphia Flyers into the playoffs.

The Hart Trophy candidate might be the reason they get knocked out in the first round if he can’t become the force the Flyers need to have a chance against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Only six years ago http://www.giantsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kareem-martin-jersey , Giroux was dubbed ”best in the world” by former coach Peter Laviolette after he posted six goals and eight assists in six games and a rare playoff series win over the Penguins. Playing in a major market, Giroux was on his way toward NHL superstardom.

Six years later, the Penguins have won two Stanley Cups, the Flyers haven’t advanced out of the first round and Giroux’s standing as one of the NHL’s best has wildly fluctuated: The 30-year-old followed two mediocre seasons with a career year this season, reaching personal highs in goals (34), assists (6 and points (102). He added a hat trick on the final day.

His production has again vanished in the playoffs.

The Flyers captain has no goals and one assist in three games – the Penguins hold a 2-1 series lead headed into Game 4 (7 p.m. EDT Wednesday, NBCSN) – in a postseason slump that dates to 2014. He again had no goals and one assist in six games against Washington in 2016 and scored two goals in seven games in 2014 against the New York Rangers. Giroux’s last playoff goal came on April 29, 2014.

In the Game 3 loss to Pittsburgh, Giroux took four shots on goal and led the Flyers with 10 shot attempts – four on goal, one that was blocked and five that missed.

”There’s a lot of hockey left to play here,” Giroux said. ”I have no doubt that we’re going to come out strong in Game 4.”

Jake Voracek and Wayne Simmonds (who dropped from 31 goals in 2017 to 24 this season) are also scoreless for the Flyers.

”Our team’s got to elevate our play overall,” coach Dave Hakstol said. ”There’s nothing drastic that needs to be done.”

That didn’t stop Hakstol from mixing up his lines at practice Tuesday, when Sean Couturier was injured. There was no immediate word on his status.

The Flyers have hit these rough patches before, losing 10 straight games over November and December before bouncing back to land in the postseason.

”Our guys have been through similar situations,” Hakstol said. ”This one’s just a little bit more elevated.”

The Penguins will play Game 4 without Patric Hornqvist, who has a goal and two assists in the series and is out with an undisclosed injury. He was on the top line with Sidney Crosby in Game 3 and was third in the league in power-play goals this season. Hornqvist was checked from behind into the boards by Philadelphia’s Andrew MacDonald in Game 3.

CLOSE IT OUT

Only four NHL teams have taken a 3-0 series lead like San Jose has over Anaheim and lost a best-of-seven series. The Sharks just happen to be one of them, having collapsed against the Los Angeles Kings four years ago in the first round. That’s one reason why the Sharks head into Game 4 at home against the Ducks (10:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Golf Channel) with a sense of urgency to close out this series.

”Enough has happened in this room where I think we understand the challenges that still lie ahead of us Cheap Derwin James Jersey ,” captain Joe Pavelski said. ”We want a good start, we want to come out and put it on the line. We’re going to have to earn this next game for sure.”

The Sharks have controlled the series, outscoring Anaheim 14-3 following an 8-1 victory in Game 3. Anaheim allowed four power-play goals as the Ducks lost their composure as well as the game.

”I mean, we got to win a game,” captain Ryan Getzlaf said. ”Our focus has got to be to win that Game 4 and that’s all we can do.”

SPIRITED PRACTICE

Nashville turned up the intensity in practice Tuesday, complete with some light hitting and vigorous battles for the puck in front of goaltender Pekka Rinne.

This is a reason for the stepped-up pace: Being outscored by a 5-0 margin by Colorado in the first period of the series.

”Today was a perfect practice for that. It wasn’t about easing into practice,” said Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, whose team leads the Avalanche 2-1 heading into Game 4 (10 p.m. EDT Wednesday, NBCSN). ”It was about going full speed into practice right away. We need that to translate into the game.”

Colorado went through an optional practice and had defenseman Samuel Girard on the ice wearing a non-contact sweater. He has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury.

TRUST THE … PROGRESS?

Tampa Bay holds a 2-1 series lead over New Jersey headed into Game 4 (7:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Golf Channel). But New Jersey’s 5-2 win over the Lightning on Monday was at least a sign that the Devils should trust the … progress?

The Devils are owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the same company that also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. Team owner Josh Harris attended the 76ers’ Game 2 loss in Philadelphia on Monday.

Under Harris’ watch, his teams can orchestrate a turnaround. The 76ers, accompanied by the now-familiar ”Trust The Process” slogan, went from 10 wins two seasons ago to 53 and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference this year while the Devils made a stunning run from the worst team in the East to the postseason in a year.

All the Devils need is a catchphrase.
Jackhammers and buzz saws nearly drowned out the coaches hollering during OTAs this week at Denver Broncos headquarters, which is undergoing a makeover this spring.

Upgrades include a massive new theater for team meetings and an expansion of the training room.

Another thing the Broncos are remodeling is their backfield.

It's hardly recognizable following the departures of veterans C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles along with longtime position coach Eric Studesville, one of six assistants fired after last season.

Curtis Modkins, who tutored 1,000-yard rusher Jordan Howard in Chicago last season Customized Houston Texans Jerseys , replaced Studesville, Miami's new run game coordinator who served four head coaches in his eight years in Denver.

Charles wasn't re-signed after one season in Denver, and the Broncos released sixth-year pro Anderson , their leading rusher, to save $9 million. He signed with the Carolina Panthers.

That leaves not a single running back in Denver who has ever posted a 100-yard game in the NFL.

It's a backfield bursting with energy, if not enthusiasm.

"We're all young," third-year pro Devontae Booker said. "We can go out there and take it to the house at any time."

Booker didn't start a single game last year, and second-year pro De'Angelo "Hop" Henderson carried seven times as a rookie. But with fullback Andy Janovich known more for busting helmets than tackles, they're the ones getting peppered with questions from a trio of rookies.

"It's crazy," said Booker, who turns 26 Sunday. "I think Hop's the same age as me, but I've been here longer."

The Broncos selected Royce Freeman from Oregon in the second round of the NFL draft and Arkansas' David Williams in the seventh before adding Colorado's Phillip Lindsay, who went undrafted.

Booker isn't acting like he's suddenly ascended to the top of the depth chart, either.

"We've got four or five backs competing to be the guy, so he's got to come out and work and earn the right to be the guy," coach Vance Joseph said. "Obviously, he understands that with C.J. gone, it's a wide-open race. He's excited about that and he should take a step forward."

No matter who emerges as the Broncos' lead back Authentic Bradley Chubb Jersey , there will be plenty of carries to go around.

"Someone's got to be the starter, but I think to have a great running game, you have to have two or three guys," Joseph said. "I think also (important is) having a third-down back, a guy who can be great in protections, catch the ball out of the backfield and beat linebackers one on one."

Booker, for one, wouldn't mind sharing snaps.

"Running back by committee," Booker said. "If it happens like that, I'm all for it."

Here's a look at the running backs jockeying for carries in 2018:

DEVONTAE BOOKER : Coming off an injury-marred season, he was expecting to share snaps this season 鈥?with Anderson.

"It was crazy, because the first day we got back, that's when everything happened. I had just seen him. We were doing physicals and the next thing I know" he's been released, Booker said. "It was shocking to me, but at the end of the day it's a business. Best of luck to C.J."

DE'ANGELO HENDERSON : The speedster from Coastal Carolina escaped serious injury when a drunken driver totaled his Jeep last week.

"It definitely makes you appreciate everything more," Henderson said. "After I stopped, I was like, I'm lucky. I've got a newborn son Authentic Jason Castro Jersey , I got a fiancee. I've got a family that really cares about me and teammates that are counting on me this year."

ROYCE FREEMAN : Freeman's high football odometer 鈥?947 rushes, 79 catches in college 鈥?didn't scare off the Broncos: "What it shows to us is he's durable," general manager John Elway said.

Freeman agrees his college workload shouldn't be a concern.

"It is not often you get backs playing as many games or taking as many carries," Freeman said. "I feel like the fact that I was able to do so proves I am a durable running back."

DAVID WILLIAMS : He's embracing the crowded running back room, saying he enjoys competing for carries.

"It's actually a great situation," Williams said. "If it was me in college, I would go to this school, if this was a school, because the situation is good. I'm just blessed to be able to have the opportunity to be in this situation."

PHILLIP LINDSAY : In all but one of the last 14 seasons, an undrafted college free agent has made the Broncos' 53-man roster, and this Denver native is a good bet to continue that trend.

He's out to wow the coaching staff as a rusher, receiver and returner.

"I'm just going to showcase everything," said the former Buffaloes standout known as the "Tasmanian Devil" for his relentless motor.
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