The St. Louis Blues have tied up the first-round series with the Winnipeg Jets at two games apiece. Now a best-of-three series, these two teams have a very good chance of going to game seven to declare a winner.
One crucial player who has catapulted the Blues into this fantastic position was not on this team to start the season. This player was on a team heading toward early elimination and is instead at the forefront of the playoff scoring leaders.
That player is defenseman Cam Fowler.
A huge help in regular season
When he was traded from Anaheim to St. Louis for a fourth-round pick and a player, Fowler was having a rough go with the Ducks. In 17 games to start the year, he only mustered a measly four assists and was -7. Things were going from bad to worse for him.
Once he joined the Blues, the 33-year-old veteran had a career rejuvenation. He slipped right into the Blues defensive core like he had been apart of this franchise for years. In 51 games, he had nine goals and added 27 assists for 36 points. Alongside Colton Parayko, the duo meshed perfectly.
Playoff stud
Now, in the time when the season becomes so much more meaningful, Fowler is showing why he was the best acquisition of the year. Against a powerhouse offense in Winnipeg, he is shutting down their top lines while adding an explosive offensive threat for the Blues.
Through the first four games of the first-round series, Fowler has a goal and seven assists for eight points, which leads the team. Those eight points are also the most among the defensemen in the first round.
The Blues have a legitimate chance to upset the Jets in truly historic fashion. To do that, Fowler must keep this pace in the last three potential games, or else this series is as good as over.