The only finger Claude Giroux was pointing after his season ended was at himself.
The Philadelphia Flyers' captain refused to make excuses after his club was eliminated Sunday in a 1-0 defeat to the Washington Capitals, with the first-round series ending 4-2 in the Presidents' Trophy winners' favor.
"Not good enough," Giroux said according to the Courier-Post's Dave Isaac. "You know, I'm pretty frustrated with myself. Gotta find a way, doesn't matter how it is. You gotta find a way."
That's the playoffs, isn't it? You have to find a way.
The Flyers were unable to do so, especially Giroux. He has only one assist to show for six games in the 2016 playoffs. It wasn't only him, though: Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, and Jakub Voracek were all contained by the Capitals. The Flyers were only able to force a Game 6 because of goaltender Michal Neuvirth.
You have to give Washington credit. Voracek was the only player among those mentioned above who found the back of the net in the series, despite the fact the Flyers were as healthy as folks get in the playoffs.
"No," Giroux answered when asked if he was playing significantly hurt. "Everybody has little bruises here and there but I'm good."
The Flyers poured everything into making the playoffs. Giroux and Simmonds were instrumental in Philadelphia hosting postseason hockey this spring. Once they got there, though, the gas tank was empty, and the team played with heavy hearts after owner Ed Snider passed away.
Beating the Capitals was always going to be a monumental task, and the Flyers managed to score only six goals in six games.
"I thought we gave it our all. We gave it our all, all year long," Simmonds said. "I don't think anyone really even gave us a chance to make the playoffs. I'm proud of every single guy in this dressing room. We push it to the limit and we busted our butts all year long and sometimes you don't get the breaks and that was it. They're a good team and they're the best team in the league all year long and I think you can see that out there."
Respect, in other words, to the Capitals.
