Font ResizeClaude Giroux had seen enough once the Philadelphia Flyers absorbed a one-sided defeat to Montreal in the midst of an already tough trip.
The new captain met with his club for a few minutes Saturday and told his teammates the effort and production weren't good enough from anyone -- including himself.
The message wasn't kept behind closed doors. Giroux made a public declaration that things had to change quickly. In his first chance to put his words into action, Giroux led by brilliant example.
Giroux scored 26 seconds into Monday's matinee against the New York Islanders, and added a goal and assist in the second period of the Flyers' 7-0 victory in Uniondale, N.Y.
Giroux combined with linemates Matt Read and Jake Voracek for three goals and 10 points as Philadelphia (7-9-1) earned just its third road win in 12 away games this season.
"We played with attitude. High intensity, and played as a team," Giroux said. "That's how we have to play -- a full 60 minutes. We didn't let down and we wanted to win. I think it showed."
Read had a goal and two assists, and Voracek -- added to the line late in Saturday's loss -- had a career-high four assists. Ilya Bryzgalov made 19 saves for his first shutout of the season and 30th in the NHL.
Avalanche 6, Predators 5: Paul Stastny and Jamie McGinn scored goals 13 seconds apart, and host Colorado snapped a nine-game losing streak to Nashville.
Ducks 3, Blue Jackets 2: Peter Holland and Ryan Getzlaf scored 21 seconds apart in the first period, rallying host Anaheim to its fifth consecutive victory. The Pacific Division-leading Ducks' winning streak is currently the longest in the NHL, and they've also won their past five home games.
Coyotes 4, Flames 0: Mike Smith stopped 30 shots, Keith Yandle scored in the opening minute of the first period, and Mikkel Boedker did the same to start the third, lifting host Phoenix over Calgary. Smith was sharp all night in recording his 22nd career shutout and third this season.
Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 0: Ben Scrivens notched his second consecutive shutout, and Clarke MacArthur and Nazem Kadri each had a goal and an assist to lead visiting Toronto over Florida.
The Maple Leafs won for the sixth time in seven games and are 7-2-0 away from Toronto, their best road start since opening with the same record in the 1940-41 season.
"We don't want to get overly excited," MacArthur said. "It's really early yet. We want to keep building."
Canadiens 3, Hurricanes 0: Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty scored 18 seconds apart in the third period to seal host Montreal's fourth straight win. Carolina saw its three-game winning streak snapped.
