Easton Cowan is dealing with an injury and his Game 4 status is up in the air with a championship on the line

Easton Cowan missed Games 2 and 3 of the AHL Eastern Conference Finals and Marlies head coach John Gruden let fans know that he still isn't 100%.

Cowan has been dealing with a minor injury this postseason and missed the last two games as fans are anxious for an update. Marlies head coach John Gruden wants to make sure he's healthy before slotting him back in as Toronto may lose their biggest weapon in their journey towards the Calder Cup Championship.

Though he's not siting atop the statistical leaderboard, he's still someone who can give the team a boost with his tenacity and offensive ability. Toronto could handle things without him in Game 2 however fell in Game 3 on Monday night.

If he's going to continue to be absent that is huge blow to the Marlies chances at making it to the Calder Cup Finals, though head coach John Gruden has his best intentions in mind - championships be damned.

John Gruden says Easton Cowan's health comes first despite knowing he can help the Marlies win

Gruden was asked for Monday for an update regarding Cowan and stated that he believes his health and well-being come first as opposed to being in the lineup regardless of it he gives the team a boost:

He's still questionable, upper body. If he's 100 percent, he'll be going. We want to make sure, first and foremost, that he's healthy. If he's healthy, he'll play, and if he's not healthy, at 100 percent, we'll keep him out for another game.

Then the head coach provided a further update stating they don't have an idea of his status and that Cowan's health still remains a priority:

I'm more concerned about his health and wellbeing, so we are waiting if he is 100%.

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It's great to see a head coach who has the best intentions in mind for his roster, and he doesn't want to risk Cowan getting further injured just for the sake of winning - especially if he's a big factor for the Maple leafs going into next season.

Cowan has been one of the Marlies best this postseason and his availability could decide the series

Cowan was available in Game 1 and helped Toronto handily dispatch of the Penguins 4-2 with him adding his fifth goal of the postseason. But Game 2 was different as Toronto needed an OT winner to come away with the victory, then lost 5-3 on Monday.

There's a real hole in the lineup in Cowan's absence and it isn't just offensive. He plays with immense heart and is a bit of a nuisance on the ice, so losing that ability to frustrate opponents and take advantage is going to hurt their success rate.

He has nine points in 14 games however is a minus-7, so his defensive game has slipped albeit not for a lack of trying. There's some bad luck involved there and certainly some growing pains but he's overall been solid.

If he is out for the remaining four games (if needed) then Toronto loses one of their biggest agitators against a team that is full of them. Cowan's ability to change the game is too important to Toronto's success right now, and without him they could be lost.

Let's just hope for everyone's sake it's as minor as everyone believes because this is one injury Toronto can't afford now or next season.

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