Binnington back in form in 6-1 win against Islanders

Goalie provides necessary early spark when team needed it, fueled 

their fire and displayed vintage form for one game; key is to keep it going

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The guy wearing the Bluenote on Saturday against the New York Islanders looked like a familiar face, played like a familiar player and produced a familiar result.

No. 50 was back in form. At least on this night.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was in top form Saturday, making 30 saves

in a 6-1 win against the New York Islanders at Enterprise Center.

Jordan Binnington not that long ago was helping carry the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup title in 2019, on top of the world and living large in the crease.

But three years later, it hasn't been a rosy season for Binnington to say the least, and Ville Husso has basically supplanted him as the No. 1 goalie, at least for the rest of this season and who knows for how much longer.

But in the here and the now, on back-to-back nights when Husso had himself another stellar pefformance with a 35-save effort in a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on Friday, it was evident Binnington would get the cage Saturday against the Islanders.

After his last start when all things fell apart quickly when Binnington allowed four goals on 13 shots on April 1 in a 6-5 overtime loss against the Edmonton Oilers, a game in which the Blues were awful in front of him to say the least, Binnington wasn't able to make those saves that revs a team up, jumpstarts them or simply saves them. 

Saturday, when the Blues didn't get off to the kind of start they wanted or needed, Binnington made those saves; he made his statement, at least for this game, at least for this night.

"I'm all-in. Ride my back."

They weren't his exact words, but the gist was just that.

There were a number of saves early when the Islanders held a 7-3 shot advantage. But when Binnington lunged from his right to left and kicked out Brock Nelson's point blank one-timer that could have sucked the life and air out of Enterprise Center with 9:05 remaining in the first period, instead it sent vibes to the bench that the goalie was there to battle, he was there for the pick-me-ups that had been missing. 

Binnington would finish with 30 saves in a near-sparking performance, and the only goal to get past him was a deflection off his own teammate. The Blues used the fuel provided by their netminder and rolled the defensive-minded Islanders 6-1 on Saturday to push their win streak to five games and point streak to eight (7-0-1).

This performance was just one game, and Binnington's had a few of them this season, albeit not as many as he's accustomed to, but this was the kind of performance that could perhaps set Binnington back on the path of righteousness.

The Blues hope it does.

"He was really good early," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "They had some chances, a power play in the first period, right, made some big saves there. A lot of times that's the difference in the hockey game and he was solid all game, looked great, really looked good."

Teammate Ivan Barbashev, who had a goal and an assist, agreed.

"Yeah, he was great today, especially in the first period," Barbashev said. "He made a really good couple saves, especially the one on the power play. That probably kept us in the game, especially early on but, no, he was good today. We trust in him and he did a really good job for us tonight.

"... Really happy (for him). He's been getting some tough bounces for a few games and sometimes we didn't play really good for him. But tonight was a good night for him and just really good to see that."

Binnington came in with a 3.25 goals-against average and .899 save percentage, not numbers fitting for a No. 1 and one that is paid like one ($6 million average annual value). He lowered those numbers to 3.18 GAA and .901 save percentage. Still a ways to go, but on the right track.

The save on Nelson and another one off a one-timer in the slot from Anders Lee set the wheels in motion on what was a solid performance, one Binnington rode from start to finish.

"Always nice to make a big save, especially early on," Binnington said. "It was on the PK and we competed hard. They for a decent chance, so it was nice to get that save and kind of get into the game early."

Let's face it, the Blues haven't put forth their best performances in front of Binnington, and there's been enough of it by his own doing by not making saves he should, or could as well. 

But on Saturday, Binnington wasn't swimming around his net. he was square to shooters, aggressive on top of the blue paint and his rebound control was sound.

Classic. Vintage. The guy we've seen before.

"It felt good," Binnington said. "I’ve been trying to put in the work for a while now. We played a great game. Great first period. Great second period. It was fun to feel the flow of the game again, and a little bit of rhythm. It was a lot of fun. Good Saturday night in St. Louis."

Binnington's seen this movie before, and it hasn't been easy. He was Husso in 2019 and supplanted Jake Allen, and now the shoe is on the other foot. But Binnington's the only one who can work himself back into top form, fighting to get his crease back, which could be good for him.

"I will say that it helps that the team’s been winning hockey games and being successful," Binnington said. "It’s how you handle things, right? And it is what it is right now.

"I’ve had to look in the mirror and just kind of use this time to my advantage and put the work in. It’s the time of year where you've just got to be there for the team. That’s what we’re all doing.

"It is what it is. I’ve been around the game for a while and experienced some things. So I know that I just have to get back to work and hold yourself accountable. It’s on you."

And that's just the message that came out of a 1-on-1 chat Binnington recently had on the practice ice with Berube, who wanted to reaffirm his commitment and confidence he can still do the job.

"One-hundred percent," Berube said. "We've got to play better in front of him too. I think that's a big part of it.

"He wanted to talk to me too. I think it goes both ways. He understands the situation, he understands he has to play better and I tell him we have confidence in him. We know he's going to play well. Once he gets going here, we've got two really good goalies."

Did Binnington think he'd be in this situation? No. He'd be crazy to think he would, but knowing his coach and the team has his back

"Just kind of get the mindset back to competing, competing all the time against everyone," Binnington said. "Especially the opponent. Just get that feel back through work and compete. So that was kind of the majority of the convo, just get back to work. So it was a good week, good homestand for us. We put ourselves in a good spot here and we've got to carry that going forward."

And Binnington now needs to build off of this performance and stay even-keeled. There probably isn't much that will rattle him. After all, before he found himself and thrust himself onto the NHL map in 2019, he was playing for Providence, the affiliate of the Boston Bruins in 2017-18 on loan when the Blues didn't have a spot for him to grow in the system.

So if anyone knows how to approach challenges and obscure situations, it's Binnington.

"Same way. Whatever comes at you in life, you've got to deal with it the best you can," Binnington said. And that for me is just working hard, putting in that work. And be ready for those opportunities whenever the team needs me. That’s it. Every scenario’s different. Every year’s different. It’s part of the journey. That’s it. All you can do, right?

"Worry about what you can take care of. Control what you can control. Let the rest take care of itself. Do your best."

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Jordan Binnington (50) makes one of his 30 saves as New York Islanders

forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau sets a screen Saturday. 

He was his best on Saturday. The Blues can only hope a tag team if Husso and Binnington can a solid 1-2 punch moving forward.

"It was nice, just feeling that flow of the game. It felt good," Binnington said. "I haven’t felt that in a while. Being at home. First home win in a while I believe (Jan. 9, 2-1 vs. Dallas). So it’s an overall good night, and you've got to remember the work you put in to get here. So you've got to just keep your head down, keep working."

No matter the situation, good or bad, for Binnington, the crowd reception he gets will never waver.

"Yeah, I can feel the love for sure," Binnington said. "I really appreciate it. This city means a lot to me. So I definitely appreciate the love."