If Jordan Binnington plays like this in February, Canada will win gold

Raphael Simard
If Jordan Binnington plays like this in February, Canada will win gold
Credit: X

The Canadiens wanted to extend their streak of games with at least one point to eight during their seven-game road trip.

This afternoon, however, they came up against an in-form Jordan Binnington, who picked up his first shutout of the season, stopping all 25 of the Habs' shots.

St. Louis won 2-0, ending the Habs' streak of games with at least one point at seven.

When Binnington was named to the Olympics, many cried foul. After all, his stats were far from good and his GM with the Blues was the GM of Team Canada.

However, Doug Armstrong confessed in an interview with RDS before the game: he asked his colleagues to scrutinize his players, because he's aware that he can be a little biased. He returned the device to his colleagues in Tampa Bay and Dallas, among others.

This afternoon, Binnington justified his appointment to Team Canada, and if he plays this way at the Olympics, Canada is sure to win gold.

He looked calm in front of his net and, as usual, handled the puck well outside his semicircle.

It was difficult for the Habs to check forward, as Binnington was acting as a third defenseman.

Aside from the 32-year-old goalie's performance, here's what I took away from this game in which the Habs definitely lacked opportunism:

1. Phillip Danault, who still doesn't have a point since joining the Habs, had a good game, I thought, and I saw him more involved offensively.

He even almost scored his first goal of the season in the second period.

2. It was difficult for the special units. The power play failed to score on four occasions. The Blues' second goal came when Martin St-Louis' team was playing five-on-four.

Late in the second period, the visitors had a chance to get back into the game with a five-on-three of several seconds, but Binnington was spectacular and his team defended well.

St-Louis put Lane Hutson on the power play with 17 seconds left. He chose Noah Dobson's biggest shot over the team's best offensive defenseman. A surprising decision, in my opinion.

3. Jacob Fowler played very well and on both goals, he couldn't do anything. He won't play tomorrow against the Stars, but if the team wants to continue the three-goal rotation, the American will certainly get another chance to shine.

Now, will St-Louis return with Samuel Montembeault or Jakub Dobes tomorrow against the mighty Dallas Stars?

4. According to Patrick Friolet, Josh Anderson has an upper-body injury.

His case will be re-evaluated daily.


Overtime

– The Bucs are now hoping for a Saints win tomorrow.

– Finally.

– Major.

– What a player!

– Nordiques and Whalers face off.

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