Two months after going head to head in the most watched hockey match of the year, Connor Hellebuyck and Jordan Binnington, Winnipeg Jets on Saturday evening in the first round of Western conference series. When they host Louis Blues, they will return to opposing networks.
Binnington helped Canada’s 3-2 overtime victories against Hellebuyck and the United States of the United States in Canada’s 4 Nations face-off championships on February 20th.
Hellebuyck enjoyed a much better NHL season than binnington and reset the franchise record with 47 victory. This was only twice in the history of the league: Martin Brodeur of New Jersey Devils in 2006-07 and Braden Holtby from Washington Capitals in 2015-16, both with 48.
Reigning Vizina Trophy champion was the second behind the Anthony Stolarz (.926) of Anthony Stolarz (Eight) and Toronto Maple Leafs (.926) for the best goals in NHL (2.00).
“I looked for everything,” Hellebuyck said after training on Thursday. “Every day I have the right people around me to feel good. I have a good rhythm. I feel rested, I feel ready for the next step.”
Binnington went 28-22-5 in normal seasons with a 2.69 GAA and .900 savings percentage near the 2.78 and .907 career averages.
What distinguishes Binnington’s resume from Hellebuyck is that the first won a Stanley cup with Blues in 2019 and defeated the jets in the first round of that year.
“Binnington won the Stanley Cup in this league.” He said. “4 countries, there is a great game there. They escaped at the end of the day and it was a big part of it. This time of the year is experienced.”
Hellebuyck, 2.03 GAA and .928 with the percentage of savings. 17-6-2 in his career against Louis.
Binnington, 3.09 GAA and.
Blues will also rely on an experienced defense unit with more than 1,000 NHL games and only 20 games away from this milestone.
Blues Center Zack Bolduc, “See how many games in the league play in the league.” He said. “Incredible. We trust them very much. We are happy to have them and know all their experiences. We know that they are there to repair the mistakes we have made in front of them. It is good to have them behind us.”
Colton Parayko is the only defensive for Blues, a part of the 2019 Stanley Cup championship team, but Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schennn, Oskar Sundqvist and Robert Thomas were also on this team.
“We like to think of this as an advantage,” Blues defender Cam Fowler said. He said. “We have a lot of experiences here, and I think it’s time for this Playoff time, and we have men who won the Stanley Cup, so they’ve reached the highest levels you can do in this game.
“You combine it with too much young energy and the first time -lived men, I think it’s a great mixture.”
-FELD level media
