The Hidden X-Factor Behind Jets Game 7's Outcome Has Been Revealed

Sunday night featured another instant Stanley Cup Playoffs classic as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in double overtime and advanced to the next round.

The Jets pulled off an action-packed Game 7, complete with drama and an eleventh-hour tiebreaker that sent the Canada Life Centre into an uproar.

Trailing 3-2 with seconds to go and the goaltender pulled, the Jets pulled off the unthinkable. A one-timer by Nikolaj Ehlers bounced straight to him, and instead of trying again, he found Neal Pionk on the other side of the rink.

Pionk threw it to the net, and the puck was deflected by Cole Perfetti with just 1.6 seconds left to tie the game. It's the kind of thing you fast-forward to through the years to watch on highlight packages. The heroism was far from over, though.

The clubs swapped dangerous opportunities deep into double overtime before Jets Captain Adam Lowry put the exclamation mark on the game.

Pionk, once again on the blue line, shot one that was deflected cleanly by Jordan Binnington, the culmination of an exhilarating win for the Jets.

Even though the offense materialized when it mattered, the actual X-Factor for the Jets was defenseman Haydn Fleury. His physical, unflappable presence and shooting-blocking ability were priceless all night long.

Fleury played key minutes, derailed Blues scoring opportunities, and smushed bodies in front of the crease, quietly steadying a Jets blue line that was under attack the whole night.

His defensive solidity was the primary explanation for the Jets riding out the storm and prevailing in the end. Many fans believe it was the right decision to start him over Logan Stanley.

It was a game of inches, heart, and heroes, and Haydn Fleury was one of the largest unsung heroes.