The St. Louis Blues Face a Goaltending Challenge Against Colorado Avalanche
The St. Louis Blues find themselves in a difficult situation as they trail 2-1 in their Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Colorado Avalanche. To make matters worse, their starting goaltender, Jordan Binnington, will be sidelined for the remainder of the series. It’s a setback that adds more pressure to the Blues’ uphill battle.
Blues’ Goaltending Dilemma
With Jordan Binnington out, the Blues will turn to Ville Husso to fill the void in the goal. Husso will start in Game 4 and is expected to continue for the rest of the series against the Avalanche. While the Blues remain hopeful that Binnington might return later in the playoffs if they advance, they must now rely on Husso to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.
Avalanche Hold the Upper Hand
Despite being on the road, the Colorado Avalanche enter Game 4 as the favorites with odds of -160, while the Blues stand at +130, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Avalanche have the advantage, and the absence of Binnington only further tilts the series in their favor.
The Injury Incident
In Game 3, a collision between Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri and Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington led to Binnington’s injury. Kadri claims it was an unintentional incident, describing it as a result of momentum from the play. Kadri maintains that he did not intend to run into Binnington and that it was an unfortunate consequence of the game.
Binnington’s Impact and Husso’s Opportunity
Jordan Binnington’s absence is a significant blow to the Blues, as he has been instrumental in their success throughout the postseason. In his five starts, Binnington displayed exceptional performance with a 1.75 goals-against average and a remarkable .948 save percentage. Now, Ville Husso will have the chance to step up and prove his capabilities as he takes on the goaltending duties. Although Husso’s performance thus far has not been as stellar as Binnington’s, the Blues’ coach Craig Berube expresses confidence in his abilities and development.
Charlie Lindgren’s Call-Up
To bolster their goaltending options, the Blues have called up Charlie Lindgren from their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Lindgren has demonstrated his skills in the regular season, going undefeated with a .958 save percentage and allowing only 1.22 goals per game in his five appearances. This move provides the Blues with additional depth in the goaltending position and ensures they have options to explore beyond Husso.
Colorado Avalanche Dealing with Samuel Girard’s Injury
While the Avalanche seek to extend their lead in the series, they face their own challenges. Defenseman Samuel Girard suffered a broken sternum in Game 3, ruling him out for the remainder of the playoffs. The absence of Girard, a key contributor on the Avalanche blue line, poses a significant setback for the team’s defensive efforts.
Colorado’s Stanley Cup Aspirations
The Colorado Avalanche have emerged as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, with FanDuel listing them at +170. Despite the loss of Girard, the Avalanche remain determined to pursue their championship ambitions. However, the remaining defensemen will have to step up to fill the void left by Girard’s absence and maintain the team’s strong defensive presence.
The Legal Check
Girard’s injury resulted from a hit delivered by Blues forward Ivan Barbashev behind the Avalanche bench. Although the hit caused significant damage, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar considers it a legal check. While Bednar initially had reservations about the hit, he ultimately concluded that Barbashev’s actions were within the bounds of the game.
The Impact Moving Forward
The absence of Samuel Girard will test the Avalanche’s defensive depth and resilience. The team will need to rely on their remaining defensemen to step up and fill the void created by Girard’s absence. It’s a challenge that will require the collective efforts of the entire team to maintain their strong defensive structure and continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.
Conclusion
With starting goaltender Jordan Binnington out and defenseman Samuel Girard injured, both the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche face significant obstacles in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup. The series hangs in the balance, and the performances of Ville Husso for the Blues and the defensive unit for the Avalanche will be crucial factors in determining their respective fates. As the playoffs unfold, these teams will need to adapt and come together to overcome adversity and advance further in their quest for hockey’s most coveted prize.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will Jordan Binnington be able to return later in the playoffs?
While Jordan Binnington is sidelined for the current series against the Colorado Avalanche, there is a possibility that he may make a comeback later in the playoffs if the St. Louis Blues advance. His recovery and the team’s progress will ultimately determine his availability.
2. How has Ville Husso performed in the playoffs compared to Binnington?
Ville Husso has had a moderate performance in the playoffs, with a 1-3 record, a 3.38 goals-against average, and an .891 save percentage. In contrast, Jordan Binnington has excelled with a 4-1 record, a 1.75 goals-against average, and a .948 save percentage. Husso now has the opportunity to showcase his abilities and prove himself in the absence of Binnington.
3. Who will the Avalanche rely on to fill Samuel Girard’s role on defense?
With Samuel Girard out for the remainder of the playoffs, the Avalanche will need their remaining defensemen to step up and fill the void. Players like Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Ryan Graves will likely see increased responsibilities to maintain the team’s defensive strength.
4. Can the Avalanche overcome Girard’s absence and continue their strong playoff performance?
The Avalanche will face a challenge in compensating for Samuel Girard’s absence. However, they have shown resilience throughout the playoffs and possess a skilled roster that can adapt to adversity. The team’s success will depend on their ability to collectively rise to the occasion and maintain their high level of play.
5. Will Ivan Barbashev face any disciplinary action for the hit on Girard?
As of now, there have been no reports of disciplinary action against Ivan Barbashev for his hit on Samuel Girard. The hit was deemed legal by Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, suggesting that no further action is necessary.
