St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler (17) set a franchise record for points in a playoff game with five on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. (Jeff Curry-Imagn Images)ST. LOUIS -- It's been mentioned a time or a thousand what Cam Fowler's acquisition has meant for the St. Louis Blues.
Well, the defenseman's performance on Thursday in a 7-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round has etched his name in the franchise record books.
Fowler finished the game with five points (one goal, four assists), setting the record for most points by a Blues defenseman in a playoff game, surpassing a nearly 40-year record held by Brian Benning, who had four points (all assists) in a 5-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 11, 1987.
"I’m thankful, I’m happy that I was able to contribute and help our team get a win," Fowler said. "It’s a special thing for me and having my family here and being back in the playoffs, but it’s over now. It was a special night, but all it really is is one game. It helped us get back in the series and now our attention has to shift to Sunday."
Fowler had a hand in all three first-period goals, including this 200-foot end to end rush up the ice that culminated in him beating Connor Hellebuyck high glove with a quick shot after a threaded pass by Robert Thomas, who by the way had himself a ho-hum four-assist game.
"His patience, he's finding a lot of plays," Thomas said of Fowler. "He's been a great player for us. We're so excited to have him. And he plays tough minutes against top lines and finds a way to be patient with the puck and really quarterbacks our power play and makes it click. So he's been awesome."
Including the regular season, Fowler, who is tied for the NHL lead with seven playoff points (one goal, six assists), has 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) in 54 games, which includes 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists) in 51 regular-season games.
"He’s been remarkable," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. "I told him after the game, ‘Thank God you’re not in Anaheim anymore.’ Him and [Colton Parayko], I thought our 'D' corps was really good tonight and I thought those two led us tonight with their skating and their willingness to shoot. That goal by Cam Fowler, I mean, that’s what our 'D' corps can do. We have a lot of guys that can skate back there."