ST. LOUIS -- When the puck took a double-deflection in the second overtime, Jordan Binnington was at the mercy of puck luck.
He never got it.
And with Adam Lowry's goal in the second overtime of Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round against the Winnipeg Jets, Binnington and the St. Louis Blues were done in the cruelest of ways.
Despite outplaying his counterpart, a Central Division nemesis and international nemesis Connor Hellebuyck the most of the series, Binnington and his teammates were sent packing for the season and ending a terrific finish to the goalie's season that started at the 4 Nations Face-Off and carried through the rest of the NHL season.
Binnington was 28-22-5 with a respectable 2.69 goals-against average and .900 save percentage in the regular season while going 3-4 with a 2.53 GAA and .901 save percentage in the playoffs, but from Feb. 22 to the end of the regular season, the 31-year-old was 13-3-1 with a 2.23 GAA and .910 save percentage to fuel the Blues' playoff push and is not currently representing Canada again at the IIHF World Championship, earning a shutout on Tuesday in a 5-0 win over France.
He talked about the end to the season, being motivated to come back stronger and better, the confidence he's gained since the 4 Nations Face-Off and more:
A big part of being a goalie is forgetting, but does that Game 7 end of regulation and double overtime a tough one to get out of your head?
Yeah it's frustrating. Obviously it was a tough moment, but that's hockey. We fought hard until the end. I think we can definitely say we're holding our heads high after what's went on in this stretch and at the same time, we're definitely excited for what's to come and just to get back to work. It's a tough moment, but at the same time, I'm grateful and proud for those opportunities and being in that moment and experiencing it. Just looking forward for more.
After the success of the season and tasting playoffs again, are you even hungrier or more motivated going into your summer more?
Yeah, I think it was an important stride for us as a team, as a group, just as our culture and just our belief in each other, our group, our team, our coaching staff, management. It was a big deal, so absolutely. I think we've gotten together over the last couple days since Game 7 there and just talking with the guys, everyone is genuinely excited and wants to improve individually and in turn as a group to bring what they can to the table. It's exciting for sure.
On conversation after the series with Hellebuyck. Can you give any insight what it's like to be the guy where everyone's chanting your name? What is it like when whole focus is on one person?
I don't think our fans made it easy on him for sure, and while we're here talking about the fans, we were talking about it [the night before] how much of an impact they had on our final stretch here in the season and encouragement, bringing it every night. It really is a big deal and we're very grateful and appreciative of that. Back to your question, it's funny. I was in junior hockey at the time and I went to watch a pro game and I heard, it was a playoff game, I heard the crowd chanting the other goalie's name and I think I was with my dad at the time and I said, 'I think this is pretty cool. I'd like to experience this one day basically.' And then you're there and it's real. As a goaltender, for me at least, I'm trying to focus on the current play at hand. You can't help but heard the whole audience, the crowd getting after you. I think it's very cool and something at this point in my career I take in and I cherish. It's something I'll always remember and enjoying that moment like that. It's part of it and that's playoff hockey and that's what makes it so fun is that intensity and passion you can feel from everyone around you. It must not have been easy for him with the Blues crowd like that, but he knows it comes with the territory and it's part of the job.
When they do it to you, are you laughing inside?
There's a little part of me that finds humor in something like that. They had another chant going saying, 'Luke is better' between the 'Schenner' bros there and I thought that was pretty funny. We were laughing about it. It's good stuff, yeah.
You were good before the 4 Nations Face-Off and you were great afterwards. What do you think that did for your play?
I don't know. I think probably a number of things. Obviously that was a big checkpoint to get to and go all into. Obviously following that, we just came back, 'Pary' and I, and we felt our group had a very strong couple days of practice and really came back with something to prove. And then 'Pary' and I being around just such high-talented players and seeing how they all operate on the day to day and that level of competitiveness and excellence. I think it was a combination of everything and how our team played and allowed me personally to find my game, per say, and find a rhythm. So I don't think it could be one particular thing. It's kind of a combination of everyone involved, but it was very exciting.
Thoughts on your season?
To be honest, I haven't even thought about that and it feels like that was so long ago that it doesn't even feel like this season with the wins record. Now that you bring it up, some special moments along the way personally. I feel very grateful for the opportunity. A lot of good personal moments and moments as a group. I haven't really thought about it. I'm going to need a little more time to reflect, but I think right now what's on my mind is this last, what is it, 25 games or so just from that [4 Nations Face-Off] break and the excitement around this group I think is the only thing I can think of really. I'm sure I'll take some time to reflect and I appreciate you bringing that up.
How different does the team style of play look now compared to October?
It's a big difference. Like Cam [Fowler] said, I think our system plays a key role in that. 'Monty's done a great job in finding ways to get the best out of guys and then off the ice, I think our culture has really taken a good shift in a positive direction. It's welcoming, it's encouraging and I think that has a lot to do with it, but the on-ice specifically, I think we've really built our game and our foundation and continue to do so.