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If the Anaheim Ducks are to hold on and win the Pacific Division they will have to do it withouth one of their top defensemen, Cam Fowler.
Fowler, who last played on Friday, recording just 13:59 of ice time, had an MRI done on his left knee and the revelation wasn't good for the Ducks. His MCL is sprained and it's going to keep him out of the lineup for a while.
Update on @C_Fowler4's injury: An MRI revealed a sprained left MCL and he is out 3-5 weeks.
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 19, 2014
Talk about a rough blow. A former first-round draft pick, Fowler took his game up a notch this season and has played a huge role for the Ducks. He earned a spot on the USA Olympic team and leads all Ducks players with 23:54 of average ice time per game.
Not only does he log a lot of minutes but he's been a big offensive contributor this season as well with his six goals and 30 assists leading all Anaheim defensemen. Of his 36 points, 15 have come on the power play, a unit that has been struggling lately. Losing a defenseman like Fowler doesn't help that improve.
At least the Ducks just got Stephane Robidas onto the ice after he missed four months of action. His presence might help soften the blow at least a little bit and until the playoffs begin. With the 3-5 week timeline, Fowler should be looking at a return just before the postseason or possibly during the first round.
Making matters worse, there's some uncertainty about Nick Bonino now too who didn't travel with the team to San Jose according to Eric Stephens. Bonino is their third leading scorer this season and is tops on the team in power-play points. So from the looks of it, the Ducks will be without two of their top four scorer in a pivitol game against the Sharks on Thursday with the division lead on the line.
