It seems like every playoff storyline this year has to do with suspensions, but Philadelphia’s may be a little more costly than usual.

All-Star Claude Giroux won’t be available to suit up for the Flyers Tuesday night as the team hopes to avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Giroux was suspended one game by the NHL for his illegal check to the head on New Jersey’s Dainius Zubrus in Game 4. Now the Flyers have to claw out of a 3-1 without their leading scorer in tow.

The Devils have clearly been the better team offensively, frustrating goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov most of the series. They rebounded nicely from a 2-0 defecit in the first period of Game 4, and are favored by Bovada’s Devils vs. Flyers Betting Lines tonight by 1 1/2 goals.

Zubrus was uninjured on the play and didn’t miss anytime. That, coupled with the fact Giroux doesn’t have a rap sheet, was the basis of his plea to NHL lawmaker Brendan Shanahan to avoid suspension. Shanahan wasn’t persuaded, though, and banned him for a game because he intentionally targeted Zubrus’ head.

‘When you look at this shift in its entirety, including the violent chop of the stick coupled with the lateness of the hit, we feel this reckless picking of the head rises to the level of supplemental discipline,” Shanahan said.

To reporters, Giroux once again defended his position.

”I was trying to finish my hit and he kind of leaned in and I kind of hit him, my shoulder to his head,” Giroux told the Associated Press. ”My elbow was down. I didn’t jump. I’m a pretty honest player. I’m not a dirty player. I’m not out there to hurt anybody. I was just trying to finish a hit.”

One thing is clear, though. The Devils are getting into the heads of Philadelphia and forcing each player to panic. Scott Hartnell was seen throwing his glove into the penalty box while Bryzgalov looked dazed in Game 2. The Flyers pummeled the Penguins with huge shot totals in their opening series, but haven’t been able to generate any offense now.

‘‘This is the biggest challenge of the year,” Flyers forward Danny Briere told the AP. ”But we’ve shown all year that we’re not quitters.”

Many of the team’s players share that sentiment, especially after their historic playoff run two years ago. That team bounced back from a 3-0 hole to win the Stanley Cup in 2010, and carry that confidence tonight.