All the while, even as the Flyers saw their team's playoff hopes fade away in April, the captain did everything within his individual power to buoy the team. The Flyers as a team have significantly underachieved this season since the beginning of March, but Giroux's individual performance and commitment level were not the problem.
"One thing that everybody knows who has been around G, and you [media] guys have been around him much more than I have, is his desire to win, his desire to compete," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said. "That's what you need from your captain, that's what you need from your driving force. He's doing everything he can to steer the ship in the right direction."
On April 25, Giroux surpassed Brian Propp -- a five-time NHL All-Star and a member of the Flyers Hall of Fame -- for third place on the franchise's all time scoring list. Propp recorded 849 points with the Flyers. That same night, Giroux scored two late third period goals and a shootout tally that spurred a 4-3 (3-2) comeback win against the New Jersey Devils.
Brian Propp was a great player here. Just being able to pass him, it's an honor," Giroux said.
As of this writing, Giroux has 854 career points. He is 29 points from tying and 30 from overtaking Hockey Hall of Fame left winger Bill Barber for second in scoring in franchise history. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke leads the franchise with 1,210 career points.
As with Barber and Clarke, Giroux has spent his entire career in Philadelphia. An unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022, the 33-year-old Giroux recently said that he'd like to finish his career with the Flyers and hopes, when the time comes, that it works out that way.
"I think when you have a chance to play with one organization your whole career, it's something to be proud of," Giroux said. "So, if I can, that would be great."
Couturier has spent his entire NHL career (2011-12 to present) as Giroux's teammate in Philadelphia. While the Flyers as a team have underachieved in that time period, Couturier passionately defends the leadership-by-example that Giroux sets.
"He's one of the most competitive human beings out there. Anything he does, he wants to win. I think it reflects on everyone on the team. You have no choice but to follow up. That's what makes him such a great leader; a great captain," Couturier said.
Voracek, who has been a Flyer since 2011-12, has posted 16 points in the last 17 games (4g, 12a) dating back to April 1. He leads the club in scoring over that juncture. On May 3, Voracek surpassed Flyers Hall of Famer Rod Brind'Amour for 10th on the franchise's all-time scoring list.
At the other end of the Spectrum, rookie power forward Allison scored his second career NHL goal on May 3 after tallying his first on April 17 against Washington; a slam-dunk power play tally. In his 10 games played to date, Allison has had a slew of scoring chances, forechecked aggressively and effectively and shown hustle and emotion.
