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."

Blues don't get rattled when down, show resiliency at critical moments

Another example of finding a way to win when down, trailed tough Minnesota 

Wild 3-1 before rallying for 4-3 victory, pulling into tie for second in the Central

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- It's not the ideal situation to be in, trailing in games, but all things considered, the Blues have walked that fine line a number of times and escaped danger.

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Vladimir Tarasenko celebrates with Robert Thomas (left) after Thomas' OT

game-winner on Friday in a 4-3 win against the Minnesota Wild.

Such was the case again against the Minnesota Wild on Friday, a potential first-round opponent that had all the makings of a playoff feel on the ice and in the stands.

When Robert Thomas scored 1:27 into overtime, it capped a three-goal rally from a 3-1 deficit and helped the Blues turn back the Wild 4-3 with 18,096 entertained spectators gripping the edge of their seats with every talented play, every hit, every play essentially.

The Blues (41-20-10) pulled into a tie for second place in the Central Division with the win over the Wild (43-21-6), who have played one fewer game, but now it's a race to the finish for home ice advantage.

"I am proud of our guys, that's a gutsy win, they battled," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "I just wish that we kept that energy going throughout the second period, but we didn't."

The Blues led, thanks to a Pavel Buchnevich power-play goal 4:36 into the first period and were playing pretty well, but the Wild (9-1-2 in their past 12 games) slowly began to take the game over, tied it late in the first on a Kevin Fiala goal and got an absolute gift of a go-ahead goal by leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov off a Thomas giveaway in the second. But Minnesota was really imposing itself on the Blues throughout much of the period before the Blues started pushing back in the last five minutes.

And in the third, when Jacob Middleton scored 18 seconds in to give the Wild a 3-1 lead, it appeared to be lights out.

Minnesota entered the third 28-0-2 when leading after 40 minutes, and Middleton's goal, one in which Berube said should have never happened, sucked the life out of a sellout crowd.
But not the Blues.

"I said this morning, the group’s not backing down from that right now," said defenseman Justin Faulk, whose goal at 4:16 of the third kickstarted the comeback. "Obviously it’s a tough one to give up. You want it to go the other way first. But we know we can score goals. I’ve said it before, we don’t want to rely on that for sure. We know we have to play tight defensively. But getting in that situation, we can score if we need to. And we found a way to do it tonight.

"The guys aren’t getting deflated with being down a goal or two right now."
It's a veteran presence that keeps the mood curbed, and keeps guys even-keeled on the bench and keeps the positive vibes going.

"This time of year, you never quit, never say die," said center Brayden Schenn, whose terrific individual effort getting past Wild defenseman Jordie Benn, cutting to the net and beating Cam Talbot high glove off the backhand tied it 3-3 at 10:28. "There's going to be moments and swings throughout games and we feel we have the ability to score goals, which we do. The third periods, we're able to turn it on and obviously you don't want to get yourself in that situation too often, but after we were down 3-1, we feel confident we can come back in games. We have guys line after line that are able to put the puck in the net."

"Not (a) bad (mood). I think guys were talking," Berube said. "They were saying the right things, we got a lot of time. (Ryan) O’Reilly’s always saying the right things and right away, he was talking to the guys and saying that we got a lot of time in the game. We've got to get a goal, back in it."

There was life, there was energy and there was a buzz in the building. The teams traded jabs the rest of the way, each earning a point, and when it got to the extra session, the odds were against the Blues.

They were 1-7 in games decided by overtime, worst in the NHL, while on the flip side, the Wild were 7-1, best in the league.

And after the Wild won the face-off and held the puck for the first minute or so, the Blues weathered that situation, got Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko on the ice and the two of them worked a give-and-go, with Thomas finishing off a Tarasenko pass for a one-timer from the left circle as two Wild skaters (Frederick Gaudreau and Alex Goligoski) converged towards Tarasenko and respecting his shot, leaving Thomas with an opening.

"If you look at him, he's a pass-first guy," Schenn said of Thomas, who extended his NHL career-high point streak to eight games (five goals, nine assists). "That's not really an argument, but I think when you start to score more goals, whether that's going to the net or shooting, you feel it a little bit that you're able to score more and confidence arises. Year by year watching him, his shot's got 100 times better. He's shooting the puck now, he's got a good release and now he's putting them in the back of the net."

"It was a good speed play," Berube said. "'Tommer' comes off the bench and got the puck in our own zone and he transports it with speed up the ice, nice X play and then Vladi made a great read on it. Vladi was looking to shoot, but he saw 'Tommer' slide over there and made a great play."

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Blues defenseman Justin Faulk celebrates and skates by the net and Wild 

defenseman Jacob Middleton after scoring a third-period goal Friday.

And capped a great win for the Blues, who could very well see these very same Wild in a seven-game series.

"It'll be tough, it will be a good series," Berube said. "They're a good team. They play hard and they've got obviously some real good skill over there and a lot of big guys that play physical."
But the Blues improved to 8-0-1 in their past nine against Minnesota. Could they be in their heads?

"No. I just think when you play teams like Colorado, Nashville, Minnesota, they're tough games, they can go either way," Schenn said. "Yeah, maybe we have the record, but like I said, that game easily could have been two points for them tonight. They're going to play us hard every time. They're going to be competitive games, defensive games and these are the games that you enjoy being part of."

(4-8-22) Wild-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- They haven't faced each other since the Winter Classic in Target Field, but finally, the Blues (40-20-10) and Minnesota Wild (43-21-5) will play twice in nine days beginning today at 7 p.m. (BSMW, ESPN 101.1-FM) and the stakes are big.

Separated by just one point in the Central Division, the Blues, with a regulation win, can reclaim the second spot in the division. A loss or overtime/shootout win/loss would not be severely damaging, but wouldn't be ideal either.

In any case, two teams playing well on a collision course not only tonight, but also here at Enterprise Center on April 16 in what quite possible could be a preview of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"There's some position that seems to be available and still yet to be set in stone," Blues defenseman Justin Faulk said. "I think guys know there's an opportunity here to kind of climb in the standings. If we can finish second in the division, that would put us with some home ice here in the first round. I think guys realize that and know the importance and it's a big game. I'm sure Minnesota feels the same way.

"You know what's going on. It's in your division and realistically, I think we're only playing them three times this year. Some teams four, so it's not the old days where you're playing a divisional team eight times and you seem to really know them that well anyways. We know what's at stake and we know how they've been playing. You can see. Whether you have a pulse for them or not exactly, it's a big game. It'll sort itself out I guess."

The Blues are 5-0-1 in their past six games to stay close to the Wild, who are 9-1-1 in the past 11 games after a 6-2 loss at the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, ending Minnesota's 10-game point streak.

"It’s going to be a big game," Blues defenseman Colton Parayko said. "They play fast. They play good. I think they have a good all-around team. They've got guys that can score, they've got a big line there that works hard, is physical. They kind of just have a good, complete team. I think it’s going to be a good matchup because we have a good, complete team as well.

"Two teams, one point apart, this part of the season is obviously a big game."

The makeup of the Wild's roster has drastically changed since the Blues saw them at the home of the Minnesota Twins on Jan. 1. The Wild have added goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who is not in goal tonight for what it's worth; they've also added some grit and physicality with defenseman Jacob Middleton and forward Nick Deslauriers.

"I think Middleton and Deslauriers are both physical players, one on the back end," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "That's the type of player they are. They're going to be more physical on the back end for sure adding him, and up front, they already are pretty physical with the [Joel] Erikson Ek line, but Deslauriers is a physical player too. That's fine.

"We've just got to play. We're not built like them. We've got to play to our strengths and we've got to initiate physicality themselves. You know you're going to get hit. Big deal. Just play. That's part of the game. That's not a big deal. I really don't believe it is, but move the puck quick. The sooner we get the pucks and move them and stuff, we can eliminate that a little bit too. Tonight, it's going to be important that we are in the offensive zone working that team, taking that forecheck and that physicality out of their game. If we do a good job and play in the offensive zone and control the play and puck possession and make them work, that'll take a lot of that away. That's going to be a big part of the game for us tonight."

The Blues have found their scoring touch, scoring four or more goals in each of their past six games and would like to continue that trend tonight.

"It's an important game," said forward Brandon Saad, who has a goal and five assists his past six games. "We're all jockeying for position here. We know how important it is. We know the type of schedule we have left and we want to take care of home games especially. They're a good team and it's a challenge for us here tonight.

"They've made some additions. Obviously they're having success as of late and so are we, so it's a good challenge for us. Everyone wants to fight for playoffs and for home ice in the playoffs. These are important games for us. It's a good challenge, but the biggest thing is focusing in on what we can control and what we can do out there."

- - -

The Blues will have a different look to their lineup, it seems anyway. 

Forward Jordan Kyrou was not on the ice for the morning skate and isn't expected to play with another bout of illness, but Berube said he hasn't ruled him out for tonight, although Alexei Toropchenko was in Kyrou's spot on the third line and the power-play units had a different look without Kyrou. Logan Brown was centering the fourth line, too.

Kyrou, who played the past two games, missed the previous three with illness as well.

"Illness. A little different," Berube said of Kyrou, who had two goals and two assists in the Winter Classic. "Probably has what 'Brownie' had. Logan Brown was out a little bit with illness. Probably the same thing."

Also, defenseman Niko Mikkola will slot in on the third D-pair with Robert Bortuzzo in place of Calle Rosen, who has done an adequate job in the games he's played this season. The Blues are 8-2-2 with Rosen in the lineup, but with Minnesota boasting some bigger, grittier players, the Blues want to add some brawn themselves.

"Big body. They go to the net hard, and we're going to have to be strong around our net, boxing people out and getting in the way and blocking shots," Berube said. "Mikkola adds size and is capable of doing that."

- - -

Defenseman Torey Krug and center Tyler Bozak were on the ice for the morning skate, a positive sign that they are getting closer to returning to action.

Bozak has missed 11 games with a lower-body injury, and Krug has missed the past eight with a hand injury.

Neither will play tonight, however, and Berube isn't sure when they will. Each has been skating on his own.

"They're coming along well," Berube said. "I thought they looked pretty good in practice today. Good to see. I'm not sure of the date when they'll be back yet, but it's getting close."

The next step for each?

"Contact and things like that," Berube said. "A real practice, like a full practice. Hopefully soon we get into one and they can join us."

- - -

* Goalie Ville Husso, who will start tonight,  is 5-0-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in his last six appearances; he is 3-0-0 with a 1.91 GAA and .934 save percentage in his career against the Wild.

* Center Robert Thomas carries an NHL career-high seven-game point streak (four goals, eight assists) into the game.

* Center Ryan O'Reilly has a five-game point streak (three goals, three assists).

* Center Brayden Schenn has a six-game point streak (two goals, six assists).

* Forward Pavel Buchnevich has a four-game point streak (three goals, four assists), and forward Ivan Barbashev also has a four-game point streak (three goals, two assists).

* Defenseman Nick Leddy has an assist in three straight games.

* The Blues are 7-0-1 in their past eight games against the Wild and have won five in a row at home, outscoring Minnesota 25-7.

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup: 

Brandon Saad-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Pavel Buchnevich-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ivan Barbashev-Brayden Schenn-Alexei Toropchenko

Mackenzie MacEachern-Logan Brown-Nathan Walker

Marco Scandella-Colton Parayko

Nick Leddy-Justin Faulk

Niko Mikkola-Robert Bortuzzo

Ville Husso will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup. 

The healthy scratch is Calle Rosen. Torey Krug (hand), Tyler Bozak (lower body), Scott Perunovich (wrist) are out, and Jordan Kyrou (illness) is not expected to play.

- - -

The Wild's projected lineup: 

Kirill Kaprizov-Ryan Hartman-Mats Zuccarello

Kevin Fiala-Frederick Gaudreau-Tyson Jost

Jordan Greenway-Joel Eriksson Ek-Marcus Foligno

Brandon Duhaime-Nick Bjugstad-Nicolas Deslauriers

Jacob Middleton-Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin-Dmitry Kulikov

Jordie Benn-Alex Goligoski

Cam Talbot will start in goal; Marc-Andre Fleury will be the backup. 

The Wild report no healthy scratches. Matt Dumba (upper body), Matt Boldy (upper body) and Jon Merrill (upper body) are out.

Blues '20' Club continues to grow, setting bar in NHL this season

Balance of offense has fueled what team has been able to do this season; 

willingness to share wealth makes team an unpredictable, challenging matchup 

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- When Brayden Schenn quickly fired home a power-play goal Monday in a 5-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes, he joined the '20' Club, becoming the seventh member.

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Vladimir Tarasenko leads the Blues with 25 goals this season and is part of

St. Louis' NHL-leading seven skaters with 20 goals or more.

Schenn's 20th goal for the Blues this season put him in a group with Vladimir Tarasenko (25), Pavel Buchnevich (24), David Perron (23), Jordan Kyrou (23), Ivan Barbashev (22) and Brandon Saad (20). It's their most since having an astounding 10 players in 1980-81, led by Wayne Babych (54), Jorgen Pettersson (37), Brian Sutter (35), Perry Turnbull (34), Bernie Federko (31), Mike Zuke (24), Tony Currie (23), Larry Patey (22), Blake Dunlop (20) and Blair Chapman (20). 

The Blues (40-20-10) lead the NHL in the fraternity of 20-goal scorers, with the Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild each with six nipping at their heels (Colorado has five with two skaters at 19 goals), and as much as players and coaches have touted how deep the forward group is all season long, and everyone knows how talk is cheap unless one can back it up, the Blues have certainly backed it up. It's quite the testament and visual proof that there indeed is this balance of scoring, and players are more than willing to share and spread the wealth.

"It's huge for our team to be honest," said Barbashev, who has set career highs in goals, assists (27) and points (49). "We've had some ups and downs this season, but to see that many players score some goals, especially to go above 20 ... it doesn't surprise me because we've got a lot of really good players that can score some goals and make some plays, but it's actually really good to see from our team."

The Blues are fifth in the NHL averaging 3.69 goals-per-game, behind Florida (4.16), Toronto (3.83), Colorado (3.79) and Minnesota (3.61), but each of those teams has at least one 30-goal scorer. Toronto in fact has two, including Auston Matthews, who has 54, and Minnesota has Kirill Kaprizov with 40.

Some of those teams are reliant, heavily at times, to be those producers of offense, which could be a detriment with as much ice time as those players command and play throughout the course of a season and could take its toll in heavily-played playoff series.

The Blues don't mind sharing and spreading the wealth.

"I just think that everyone's involved, we don't rely on one guy, guys are going to go through spurts, guys are going to get hot at different times of the year and that's what you need as a team," Schenn said. "Ultimately that's what you need in the playoffs. You need scoring from everyone. You can't just rely on one guy and I think that's a little bit of everything. That's us kind of playing two power-play units, lots of guys getting a chance whether it's 3-on-3, 4-on-4 and different certain situations and guys just capitalizing. That's all it boils down to. We kind of knew coming into this year that we have a lot of guys that are capable of scoring goals and it's nice to see everyone getting rewarded."

The Blues haven't had a 30-goal scorer since Tarasenko scored 33 in their Stanley Cup-winning season of 2018-19, but of course, in each of the past two seasons, the 82-game schedule was cut short. That hasn't instilled some sort of mindset that any one or two particular guys have to get the puck.

In fact this season, Tarasenko does lead them with 194 shots on goal, but Buchnevich (176) isn't far behind. Kyrou (152), Perron (145) and Saad (129) have been pretty balanced themselves and get their opportunities. Barbashev and Schenn (96 each) have been pretty accurate when given the chance.

"We’re built that way and I think we all know that," coach Craig Berube said. "We're the sum of our parts. We need everybody to contribute, need everybody to play the right way, and it's a rewarding feeling for me to see the balance that we have and when I look at it like that, it looks like for me, it's a team and it's guys are putting the team first, in my opinion. That's what I like the way I like to view it. So it's rewarding that way for me personally."

So, picture what seven guys capable of scoring 20 or more can do to the opposition as far as game preparation. How does one handle that?

"Well, I think the team on the other side's got to look at our lineup and go, 'Who are we going to match up tonight against,'" Berube said. "Our checking line and our shutdown D. It's not like you have three pairs of shutdown D.

"So I think it makes it difficult that way. I think someone on our team, night in and night out, and it depends on the line is going to get a nice matchup."

Take into consideration that the last three Stanley Cup champs, including the Blues, didn't come close to having such balanced scoring. The Tampa Bay Lightning last season had seven double-digit scorers in a 56-game season and had four guys reach 20 or more in 2019-20, and the Blues had only three (Tarasenko, O'Reilly, 28; Perron, 23).

Could this serve as a precursor to perhaps having a successful playoff season when it hasn't exactly been air-tight defensively? It certainly makes the matchups more difficult, especially on home ice. 

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Newcomer Brandon Saad (left) is one of seven Blues to reach the 20-goal

mark this season, which is tops in the NHL for one team.

"I think that's just how this organization's been built," defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. "Maybe not to this extent where it's almost so even through the whole forward group, but we're a group that's the sum of its parts and we always have been here. I think we like it that way. To have that kind of depth up front is a luxury. Guys can come in and out, guys can PK and play on the power play, just have a bunch of guys that can play in all situations. To have guys that can bury the puck like that is huge for our group. Down the stretch, everyone knows what depth means and we're in the thick of things here. There's a bunch of guys that have stepped up and our leaders have been great lately. It's a luxury as a d-corps to have a group of forwards that are so deep.

"... I've lived it here for eight years and it's worked for us. We've had a lot of success getting into the playoffs. Teams are going to do what they do. I appreciate how we're built here. The sum of our parts and depth and guys working for each other and culture and what not. Who's to say what's better? You look at the teams that win, there's a lot of depth at the end of the day. Personally I think that's what it takes."

(4-6-22) Kraken-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues passed the test on Monday, finally, against an opponent they should handle and will be faced with a similar situation today in the second of a four-game homestand.

The Blues disposed the Arizona Coyotes 5-1 to open the homestand on Monday, dusting aside the last place team in the Central Division and get another cellar dweller today at 7 p.m. (BSMW, ESPN 101.1-FM) when they face the Seattle Kraken, last in the Pacific Division, for the third and final time this season.

The Blues (39-20-10) are 2-0 against the Kraken (22-41-6) this season, outscoring Seattle 7-1 although the home matchup on Jan. 13 was a 2-1 win, a game in which the Blues trailed 1-0 entering the third period.

Seattle, which downed Dallas 4-1 in its previous matchup, is 5-4-1 in its past 10 games and will look to play the spoiler role moving forward. The Blues are aware of this.

"They play good, structured hockey," Blues coach Craig Berube said of the Kraken. "You don't get a lot of opportunities offensively. Their shots against are one of the best in the league (fourth at 29 shots against per game). So you've got to work for your offense. We've got to work for our opportunities. They protect their net really well and they're 5-4-1, I think, in their past 10. They beat Dallas last game.

"We're going to have to play well. We're going to have to work for our offense tonight. It's not just going to happen. There's not going to be all these plays that are going to be made. You've got to work, you've got to shoot pucks and you've got to get on the inside. We're going to have to get some ugly goals against them."

The Blues simply need to continue on the upward trend they've been on, 4-0-1 their past five games and they have a earned a point in 10 of the past 13 games (7-3-3) despite some of the doom and gloom. They have a chance to pull within a point of second in the Central Division behind the Minnesota Wild and six ahead of the Nashville Predators, who are chasing the Blues for third in the division.

"It's just really important for us to stay on top of our game," forward Ivan Barbashev said. "We know the playoffs are coming and the standings are really tight. Right now at this time, we've got to give 100 percent every single game because one loss can hurt us later on to be honest. Those points are big every single game. We've got to just play our game and prepare for playoffs."

The Kraken are certainly aware of the Blues and what their challenge will be.

"This is arguably the deepest team in the National Hockey League," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said of the Blues. "If you look at their group of forwards, their top nine forwards, every one of them has 41 points, everyone gas 15 goals-plus. The depth of their team is impressive and it doesn't stop there. On their back end, they're a good, solid, sound team. The mindset and the competitiveness of our group is going to be really important tonight through 60 minutes. There's going to be different momentum swings. We've got to make sure any of the negative swings are short-lived and we go back and push the next shift. We just have to be ready and competitive shift in, shift out."   

- - -

* Center Robert Thomas has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in a six-game point streak, tying his NHL career-high. 

* Right wing Vladimir Tarasenko has 15 points in his last 13 games (six goals, nine assists)

* Forward Pavel Buchnevich has a three-game point streak (three goals, three assists).

* Barbashev, part of the NHL-leading seven 20-goal scorers on the Blues, has 22 goals on the season and has scored in three straight games.

* Center Ryan O’Reilly has a four-game point streak (two goals, three assists).

* The video tribute for former Blues first round pick Jaden Schwartz will have to wait until next season. Schwartz, who missed the Jan. 13 game here with a broken hand, will not play tonight because of an upper-body injury.

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Brandon Saad-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Pavel Buchnevich-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ivan Barbashev-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou

Mackenzie MacEachern-Nathan Walker-Alexei Toropchenko

Marco Scandella-Colton Parayko

Nick Leddy-Justin Faulk

Calle Rosen-Robert Bortuzzo

Ville Husso will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Niko Mikkola and Logan Brown. Torey Krug (hand), Tyler Bozak (lower body) and Scott Perunovich (wrist) are out.

- - -

The Kraken's projected lineup:

Ryan Donato-Alex Wennberg-Jordan Eberle

Daniel Sprong-Morgan Geekie-Joonas Donskoi

Victor Rask-Yanni Gourde-Kole Lind

Jared McCann-Riley Sheahan-Karson Kuhlman

Adam Larsson-Vince Dunn

Will Borgen-Cale Fleury

Carson Soucy-Jamie Oleksiak

Chris Driedger will start in goal; Philipp Grubauer will be the backup. 

The healthy scratch is Derrick Pouliot. Jaden Schwartz (upper body) and Haydn Fleury (undisclosed) are out.

Gunnarsson returns to St. Louis for first time since retirement

Popular defenseman helped lead Blues to first-ever Stanley Cup championship 

in 2019, visited with former teammates, coaches after calling it quits in 2021

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Carl Gunnarsson sat at the podium Monday at Enterprise Center with a smile and no regrets.

Former Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson (middle
with son) poses with the Blues on Monday after arriving
in St. Louis for the first time since retiring from the NHL.

And why would he?

A Stanley Cup champion whose career was cut short in 2021 after an ACL tear in his left knee, Gunnarsson was in St. Louis for the first time since he announced his retirement from the game June 23, 2021.

The 35-year-old was accompanied by wife Josefin and their two children at the rink, paying a visit to many of the teammates, coaches and staff he won a Cup with when the Blues defeated he Boston Bruins in seven games in 2019.

Gunnarsson, who played in 630 regular-season games and another 61 in the playoffs (61 with the Blues, seven with the Toronto Maple Leafs), took pictures with former teammates, including a group photo.

"Yeah, it's kind of weird to be back but it feels good though," Gunnarsson said. "I missed it a lot and it's been a little bit too long. We planned on coming earlier but we made it so it's good."

Gunnarsson has been living in his native Sweden, dipping his toes in the game -- not on the ice -- still lending a helping hard with the local team, Örebro HK, of the Swedish Hockey League and helping to raise a family.

"So just doing a little bit of stuff with that. We'll see if that leads anywhere," he said. "I'm just taking a little time off and now back to studying a little bit and just work a little bit with the team back home, taking care of the family, looking after them. It's been all right. It’s a little change your pace but it's been fun in a different way.

"No, I haven't been on ice since … it's been over a year now. So just waiting on that. We'll see if that's going to happen."

But coming back to St. Louis brings back the memories of helping the Blues win their first-ever Stanley Cup, and Gunnarsson will forever go down in Blues history as the one who scored the game-winner in Game 2 of their first-ever win in the Stanley Cup Final after losing their first nine, including three four-game sweeps from 1968-70.

"I knew he was coming to town," Blues center Brayden Schenn said. "It's always nice seeing former teammates, especially guys you won with. That was one of the most selfless teammates I've ever had. He's a warrior, he played for the team every single night. It's nice to see him in the building tonight. Hopefully they welcome him back with a nice special something."

Added Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, "I heard grumblings, I didn't know when, and then I saw him in the training room with the kids and wife. Kind of was like, 'Hey, what are you doing here!?' But yeah, great to see him. He was a huge part of this group and organization for a while. Just a standup guy, glad to see him and glad he's doing well.

"Carl looks good, yeah. I think he's looked the same for the last 10 years and I don't think that's going to change. He's got that Swedish build that ages well, I think."

Gunnarsson's encounters with coach Craig Berube will always surround themselves with "the pisser," in which Gunnarsson and Berube met in the urinal of the visiting locker room at TD Garden in Boston at intermission before overtime, when Gunnarsson told Berube he needed just one more chance after hitting the post late in the third period of a 2-2 game.

He would get that chance and make good on it, but thinks of Berube whenever he goes to the bathroom now.

"Every time," Gunnarsson said. "That's the worst part."

"That was pretty funny," Berube said. "It was great to see 'Gunny' though. That was a surprise to me. I didn't know he was here so it was awesome to see him and his family and he's doing really well. Got a lot of respect for 'Gunny', enjoyed coaching him and being around him. Great guy and he was a real good hockey player for us."

"That's a good memory, but that's a lot of times to be going to the bathroom just to be thinking about Chief," Bortuzzo said.

But Gunnarsson is at peace with his decision to leave the game when he did knowing he reached the pinnacle of hockey and doing it in a city that was thirsting for its first title.

"I feel blessed about that," Gunnarsson said. "A lot of people go through 10, 20 years sometimes not winning it, so truly privileged to have been able to do that and be part of such a team. It's really cool looking back at pics, videos and all that. Just got a bunch of good memories from it. So it's, it's really special.

"I guess so. It just topped it off (winning it all) in a real cool way. It would have been good anyways, but that's just that little extra ... just, wow. Right?

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues converge on defenseman Carl Gunnarsson after his OT goal in

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2019 defeated the Bruins 3-2.

"The way it happened, I don't think so. That injury just put a stop to (Gunnarsson's career). But it would have been a different feeling. I think now it just feels like yeah, done that, feels great, don't have to push to get back to try to win it again. So at my age too, and it's just like, alright, this is okay, feel okay with it. I would have wanted to go out in different way, but the way things happened, I feel pretty okay with that."

But you know what? Berube would take him back, knowing he still looks like Gunnarsson's in good shape.

"He does look like he can still play," Berube said. "I asked him how his knee was, maybe come out of retirement. Why not? Take a year off and come back? He looks in good shape."

Gunnarsson was in attendance for Monday's 5-1 win over Arizona and will also be in St. Louis to see Wednesday's game against the Seattle Kraken, perhaps catching up with Jaden Schwartz.

Gunnarsson made it clear that his playing days are over.

"No," he said, then joking. "I don't think I can, my number has been taken now, right?"

Yes, by Nick Leddy.

(4-4-22) Coyotes-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues are feeling pretty good about themselves after a solid Western Canada trip that saw them take five of six points in some tough venues, including Saturday's 6-4 win at Calgary.

Now as the Blues (38-20-10) get set to open a four-game homestand against the Arizona Coyotes (22-42-5) at Enterprise Center at 7 p.m. (BSMW, ESPN 101.1-FM), the thought is to build upon the success and bank much-needed points in the heat of a playoff race.
But as many times as has been the case, it's not always easy to come off along trip and begin a homestand, where energy could be an issue.

The Blues are aware of this and aware of their recent record and play against lesser-known opponents, including the Coyotes, who are coming off a 3-2 overtime win at Chicago on Sunday and who came into this building and beat the Blues 3-2 on Nov. 16. 

"These ones tonight are the tricky ones," Blues center Brayden Schenn said. "These ones are you have to be mentally ready to play, ready to play a little bit more than normal just because you know you're not going to feel your best, you know you're not going to have the legs that you normally have at home just from playing back-to-back and traveling yesterday and coming in and play a team that's kind of lower in the standings. Just be ready from puck drop tonight and not try to feel the game out and get ready as a team as soon as the puck drops tonight."

The Blues spent plenty of energy in Friday-Saturday games at Edmonton and Calgary. They rallied from a 4-1 first-period deficit on Friday before falling 6-5 in overtime against the Oilers before pulling out all the stops the following night and topping the Flames, 6-4, winning on a late Nathan Walker goal before getting a pair of empty-netters.

What the Blues were able to do on each of the games, including last Wednesday in Vancouver, was win the third period. They outscored those three opponents 6-3 and allowed one of those goals via the sixth-attacker.

"I think the third period was our best period in all three games and other than when we let Calgary get that goal with a goalie out after we went up by two, that shouldn't happen, but I think our team going down the stretch in all three games in my opinion, our third period was our best period, which is good to see," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "I thought that our pressure without the puck was a lot better in the third period and all three games checked a lot better and found ways to score goals at the same time. So that was really good to see.

"I think there's ups and downs in a season and I think that we were in a little bit of a downward spiral there for a little bit, but obviously, we pulled out of it here and guys did a real good job of understanding the situation they're in, understanding how crucial points are and just basically how intense and how hard you've got to play every night to get points. Vancouver, they’re fighting for playoffs, we've got four points out of them, going to Edmonton, they're in the same situation, got a point there. And then you go into Calgary and they're not a happy team because they've lost a couple at home. They weren’t doing very well at home and you get a buzzsaw going in there but our guys hung in there and did a good job and found a way to win and our third period in Calgary was their best period."

As for Arizona, which is 10-9-1 in their past 20 games and has been playing much better, the Blues have to have the mindset of these points are must-points. Three of their four opponents (Arizona, Seattle and New York Islanders) are opponents on the outside looking in.

They've been put in these situations before, and the Blues haven't responded accordingly. Is there a different vibe this time?

"I hope so," defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. "You can tell in the room guys know what time of year it is. They know the value of points and they seem the standings, they see we're right in the thick of it. I think this week was big for us to see what kind of mettle we had after our tough stretch and I think it was big for us to step up. It doesn't matter who you're playing this time of year, it's banking points and winning games. Coming off these road trips, it's tough sometimes. We have had some lulls but I think this is where you see your leaders step up like they did last week, like Schenn and (Ryan) O'Reilly. Vocal in the room, but I'm sure this is when leaders can step up and show how valuable points are."

- - -

The Blues played 11 forwards and seven defensemen Saturday in the win against the Flames, something they've had great success with this season (8-3-3), they'll go back to the traditional 12 forwards and six defensemen tonight. Forward Jordan Kyrou, who missed the trip due to illness, was part of the regular rotation and looks like he's ready to go tonight, which will make defenseman Niko Mikkola a healthy scratch.

Kyrou hasn't scored in 10 games but has nine assists; he's second on the team with 22 goals.

"Yeah, I think just reset, refocus," Schenn said of Kyrou. "I think this is probably the first year having a great year, all-star game, eyes on him winning fastest skater. Guys play harder. That's what it comes down to and now that I'm sure he's realizing and stuff like that, I think it will be good for him to be good for us the final 14 games, I think what it is and into the playoffs. He's obviously a huge piece for us, he drives a ton of offense for us, brings a lot of a game-breaker kind of guy with his speed and can turn it on and score a goal just like that. We're going to need him down the stretch. We're definitely lucky to have him back."

Defenseman Torey Krug, who's missed six games with a hand injury and forward Tyler Bozak, who has missed nine games with a lower-body injury, are not ready to return but are getting closer.

"They're doing fine," Berube said. "Krug and Bozak are rehabbing, they're on the right path, so we'll see how it goes. I don't really have a timetable for (them)."

- - -

If you haven't seen it, the Blues put out a video of 2020 first-round pick Jake Neighbours playing the part of a Blues fan prior to their game in Edmonton on Friday. 

Neighbours, who is currently playing with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League and has 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 26 games, missing a big chunk of the season due to injury, was able to visit for the first time since being sent back to juniors. He played the part of a super fan perfectly, even getting a signed stick from Schenn, who took Neighbours in when he was in St. Louis, and seeing so many of his teammates, including ones that didn't recognize what was going on.

"'Otter' (assistant coach Steve Ott) was laughing at me on the bench," Schenn said. "He was like telling me to look behind the bench and I didn't know what the heck he was talking about and then figured it out right away. As soon as I get the double-take, I get a good laugh. It's funny how some guys recognized and some guys didn't even notice at all. If you look at the video, you see 'Walks' face, he has no idea who it is. That was a perfect video."

As for that stick?

"What a play, what a play by him and by (Blues digital staff) and whoever was else involved," Schenn said. "It caught everyone off guard and good laugh, good sport, kid with a good sense of humor. We obviously love being around him. It's a great play by everyone involved."

And what did Schenn sign on it?

"'Keep up with your diet,'" Schenn said. "He was living at my house putting on a few lbs. He's tightened it up since. 

"No, it's just an inside joke. He's looking skinny now and he's ready for the stretch drive with the Oil Kings."

- - -

The Blues received a special visitor on Monday.

Former defenseman Carl Gunnarsson, who retired from the NHL following the 2020-21 season, is in town for the first time since his playing days.

I'll have a separate story on Gunnarsson to post later, but when asked about a possible return, the Swedish native, who was accompanied by his wife Josefin and two children, said, "No. I don't think I can, my number has been taken now," Gunnarsson joked.

Indeed, by defenseman Nick Leddy.

- - -

* Blues defenseman Colton Parayko needs two points to reach 200 for his NHL career.

* Schenn is one assist shy for 300 in his career.

* Center Robert Thomas has a five-game point streak (three goals, six assists).

* Forward Brandon Saad is on a season-high tying four-game point streak (one goal, four assists).

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Brandon Saad-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Pavel Buchnevich-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ivan Barbashev-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou

Mackenzie MacEachern-Nathan Walker-Alexei Toropchenko

Marco Scandella-Colton Parayko

Nick Leddy-Justin Faulk

Calle Rosen-Robert Bortuzzo

Ville Husso will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup. 

Healthy scratches include Niko Mikkola and Logan Brown. Torey Krug (hand), Tyler Bozak (lower body) and Scott Perunovich (wrist) are out.

- - -

The Coyotes' projected lineup:

Nick Ritchie-Nick Schmaltz-Travis Boyd 

Jan Jenik-Alex Galchenyuk-Phil Kessel

Andrew Ladd-Barrett Hayton-Loui Eriksson

Hudson Fasching-Jay Beagle-Michael Carcone

Shayne Gostisbehere-Dysin Mayo

Cam Dineen-Anton Stralman

Kyle Capobianco-Vladislav Kolyachonok

Ivan Prosvetov will start in goal; Karel Vejmelka will be the backup. 

Healthy scratches could include Jack McBain, Matias Maccelli and Harri Sateri. Clayton Keller (broken femur), Christian Fischer (lower body), J.J. Moser (upper body), Liam O'Brien (upper body), Antoine Roussel (lower body) and Jakob Chychrun (lower body) are out.