My player to watch for the St. Louis Blues against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday is goaltender Jordan Binnington.
The Blues gave Jordan Binnington a night off Saturday for the first time since Nov. 19 when Joel Hofer made the start against the Arizona Coyotes; that ended a stretch of five straight games in which Binnington either started or was brought in relief.
It was probably a good idea too so he can get a mental reset for what's in store on Monday and Wednesday when the Blues (12-10-1) open a home-and-home set against the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights beginning with today's game at T-Mobile Arena at 9 p.m. (BSMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).
Binnington is 2-1-0 in his past three starts and has looked sharp in each, even though he's allowed nine goals in the three starts but has averaged nearly 39 shots per game, including a whopping 46 in his past start, a 6-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres.
In his career, Binnington has seen a lot of rubber from Vegas, but he's given his team a chance to win on most occasions, going 7-2-4 lifetime in 14 games (13 starts), and in those 13 starts, he's faced 30 or more shots in 11 straight games, including 50 or more twice and 40 or more five times.
Vegas (16-5-4) is 10th in the NHL averaging 31.9 shots per game and the Blues are 26th in the league allowing 32.5 shots per game. Do the math and Binnington will have to be on his best to give the Blues a chance these next two games; he has helped the Blues earn a point in four straight starts in that venue (2-0-2) and will be looking to make it five in a row.
