Defenseman Cam Fowler set a St. Louis Blues franchise record for points in a playoff series as the team defeated the Winnipeg Jets to force a deciding Game 7. Fowler's performance helped extend the Blues' home winning streak at Enterprise Center, pushing the first-round series to the limit.
Fowler, 33, recorded 10 points (two goals, eight assists) through the first six games against the Winnipeg Jets. This total established a new mark for points by a Blues defenseman in a single postseason series, surpassing previous team performances. Doug Weight was the last St. Louis skater to record 10 points in a playoff series, doing so in 2003.
His goal in Game 6 contributed to the Blues' effort that forced the series back to Winnipeg. The defenseman's offensive production has been a factor for the team since being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in December Anaheim Ducks trade.
"We feel we have guys on the backend that can contribute offensively," Fowler told reporters after Game 6. "It's been a point of emphasis for our group and we have guys that can execute it."
Blues coach Jim Montgomery praised Fowler's understanding of the game. "He's incredibly cerebral," Montgomery said. "When you try and change things that you do, he goes out and implements them right away."
Montgomery added that Fowler's competitive nature is sometimes overlooked. "Once you get him in your own locker room and you get to see the intensity in his eyes, you couple that with the calmness and poise to make the plays he makes at both ends of the ice. It's pretty impressive."
Fowler skates on the team's top defensive pair and anchors the power-play unit, carrying a heavy workload. The team's defensemen as a group have contributed six goals and 17 assists this postseason.
The Winnipeg Jets will host Game 7 on Sunday. The home team has won every game in the series so far.
The Blues have won four consecutive Game 7s and can become the fifth team in NHL history to win five straight. The Winnipeg Jets will host their first Game 7 in Winnipeg after winning their only prior Game 7 in the 2018 Second Round 2018 Second Round.
The winner of Sunday's contest will advance to the second round.
