Kasper Halttunen has three goals in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, and Easton Cowan is also playing his best hockey as the Knights lead the series 2-0.
The Western Conference Finals between the London Knights and the Saginaw Spirit is a battle that we have been waiting for this season — a matchup that was inevitable from the beginning.
Thus far, the London Knights have a 2-0 lead in the series — largely thanks to the contributions of Kasper Halttunen and Easton Cowan.
Halttunen has extended his goal streak to five games with three goals in the first two games of this series, as he totals 9 in the playoffs so far. The San Jose Sharks prospect can shoot the puck at an elite level, and that is a weapon that the Knights have been utilizing.
His one-timer is most lethal in his tool kit, and that is how he has scored all three goals in this series thus far.
Halttunen may have the most goals in this series, but it is Easton Cowan who has taken the bull by the horns in this series.
Cowan has been doing it all for the Knights all-playoff-long. He kills penalties at an elite level, he drives all of his teams offence when he's on the ice, his creativity breaks down opposing defensive structures — and that's just the beginning of it.
The Maple Leafs first round pick continues to prove his value to the London Knights. Without Cowan, the Knights would have a lot of holes in their lineup. With Cowan in their lineup, they are able to fill a hundred different holes with one player — and he ends up playing a large majority of the game.
The Knights suddenly have a dominant 2-0 lead in the series, and now it shifts to Saginaw. Will Saginaw be able to get it done on home ice to even the series?
Easton Cowan is a large reason why the London Knights are nearly insufferable to play against. He's constantly got that "dog on a bone" mentality and he never lets up in any area of the ice. He is up to battle and compete in every game situation, and players like that are critical come playoffs.
Sure, Jacob Julien and Kasper Halttunen are filling the net, Barkey is dishing the puck, Michael Simpson is backstopping the net, but Easton Cowan is doing all of the Knights leg work.