2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: St. Louis Blues deal with anger and keep faith following the Jordan Binnington injury

St. Louis Blues Center Brayden Schenn I didn't want the topic to be discussed Nazem Kadri.

He wasn't interested in talking about Blues goalie Jordan Binnington‘s collision with Colorado Avalanche This is center forced him out of Saturday's Game 3The lower-body injury eventually led to the suspension of the entire series. Concerning the speculation that followed the incident about Kadri’s alleged intent to drive the net, coach Craig Berube refers to “Kadri’s reputation” when assessing the incident.

“We are here to win this series. Schenn said that the team lost Game 3, and is now trailing the Avalanche by 2-1. Stanley Cup playoffs second-round series. “You don't focus on just him. You can only control what you do, which is going out and winning a hockey match.

Kadri was not penalized by either the NHL's Department of Player Safety or the NHL's on-ice officials for Binnington’s injury. It is difficult to ignore those emotions given Binnington's injuries and Kadri’s history with the Blues – having been suspended eight times last postseason for a hit on the head that left a defenseman incapacitated – Justin Faulk.

Schenn did not want to talk about the incident, but he could not help himself when asked about Kadri's defense of his actions. He said that he was pushed in. [But] He is behind our guy. He said, “So I don't understand how that makes sense.” “But we'll keep moving on.”

For Game 4 in St. Louis on Monday night, you need to channel those emotions.

“It is a difficult loss. “We won't sugarcoat it,” defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. “But we are not going to lose our energy here. We are determined to win the series.”


The Blues were the best team at processing emotions during their time in the league. 2019 Stanley Cup championship win. This run was defined by their uncanny ability of moving beyond adversity. Victories quickly followed devastation. Calamitous moments such as the unnoticed hand pass that caused a Western Conference finals loss in San Jose were quickly dealt with and removed from their memory.

Binnington's injury is a devastating loss for the Blues. In six appearances, Binnington was 4-1 with an average of 1.72 goals against and a save percentage of.949. He finished second in postseason goalies in goals saved beyond expectation per 60 minutes (0.934). His 51 saves in Game 1 forced overtime. His 30 saves in Game 2 prevented the Avalanche from winning the Blues' 4-1 victory. He was the foundation that they built in this series.

“Binner is the heart and soul. Captain: “Playing unbelievable.” Ryan O'Reilly after Game 3. “I think [his injury] We lost the momentum and it took too long to get it back. These things happen. We're a deep team.”

This depth also includes the crease. The Blues will return to a familiar face in order to save the series against Colorado: the goalie Ville HussoBinnington was replaced by Binnington in Game 3. He gave up four goals and 23 shots during the 5-2 loss.

“We are more than confident in them both. That's the beauty of those two. Two great goalies keep us in every game,” stated defenseman Colton Parayko.

Husso pitched against the Giants a shutout. Minnesota Wild In Game 1, he stopped 37 shots. However, he only had a.848 save percentage after back-to-back losses against the Wild. Binnington replaced him as Game 4. His save percentage for the first three games was.872. Binnington's arrival made it clear that the Blues had become more defensive.

“We have used both goalies for the entire year. We used [both of] They're in the playoffs already. “Now Ville has gotta go back in,” stated Berube. “He's got all the skills to do a great job for us.”

Husso, Binnington and others have been jockeying for Blues' crease for many years. Binnington, now 28, was promoted to the NHL in 2018-19. He led the Blues to their Stanley Cup win. Many expected Husso (27), to be the team's goalie. Husso took over the crease in 2021-22. Husso went 25-7-6 through 40 games, with a.919 save percent, and earned the starting position in Game 1 of playoffs.

Husso has been on a rollercoaster ride, with Game 3 being the most recent dip. He had minus-2.22 goals save below the average in Game 3's relief effort loss.

Is he still confident after losing his job?

“I don't need a lot of words to him. He is ready to go. Over the season, he's improved as a goalie. We began with him in playoffs,” stated Berube. “An athlete can be competitive. He will have another chance to win the team's championship. It doesn't matter how you view it. This is why they are professional athletes.”

Pro athletes, on the other hand, move past adversity to focus on the task in front of them. This is what Husso should do after his recent struggles. It's what Husso and the Blues have to do with their emotional responses to events that brought Husso back into their crease.

After their Game 3 loss, the Blues need to make improvements. They weren't as in control of play as they were in Game 2 and didn't challenge Colorado's defense enough after losing to the Avalanche. Samuel Girard a serious injury sustained in the first period. It was still a one-goal match in the third period, before two late Colorado goals — one empty-net goal and one where Husso scrambled back to the net after being called off The final score looked more lopsided than it actually was.

Berube stated, “We've done well in the series.” “We are right there. It's just a shot away.

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