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Giroux, Jagr help Flyers tie Penguins for division lead

Claude Giroux; Jaromir Jagr; Carey Price

Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux, left, celebrates as Flyers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) scores the first goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

AP

The Pittsburgh Penguins have maintained their place among the NHL’s elite despite injuries to various players (obviously including Sidney Crosby). That’s a great story, but the Philadelphia Flyers don’t really care - and they’re developing a fantastic one of their own.

Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr are making great music together so far in 2011-12, something that was evident in a 5-3 win that pushed the Flyers into a tie with the Pens for the Atlantic Division lead. Both teams are locked in at 10-4-3 records for 23 points in 17 games, although the Penguins have more home games left over.

Giroux scored two goals and added an assist to push his points total to 22 while Jagr notched two helpers to give him a point-per-game (17 in 17 contests). The many people (myself included) who snickered at Jagr’s $3.3 million price tag are eating a hearty helping of crow right about now.

Let there be no doubt that Giroux is the driving force in that duo, but Jagr’s experience and skills are melding well with the talented young center’s brilliant abilities. (Jagr told Sam Carchidi that he’s essentially doing his impression of what Ron Francis once did for him.)

The Flyers have a lot of good things going. Ilya Bryzgalov’s back to form, Chris Pronger is reasonably healthy and role players like Maxime Talbot are producing nicely. Still, Giroux and Jagr are the driving force right now, as you can see from the game highlights.