Blues express faith in Binnington for Game 7: 'He's the total package'
The St. Louis Blues have total confidence in goaltender Jordan Binnington as they gear up for Sunday's Game 7 against the Winnipeg Jets.
"He's calm and he's collected back there," Blues defenseman Cam Fowler told The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford. "He's the total package. He's a huge reason why we are where we are. And we'll continue to lean on him because he's shown everybody time and time again that he's world class."
Binnington's posted a modest .897 save percentage so far in the series but has built a reputation throughout his career as a big-game performer. He's 2-0 with a .968 clip in Game 7s, including a Stanley Cup-clinching effort against the Boston Bruins in 2019.
The netminder was also between the pipes for Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off championship victory over the United States in February.
"Two words that come to mind right away is how calm he is and 'proven winner,'" St. Louis head coach Jim Montgomery said. "He's done it, he's been there, he knows how to not only get himself in the right zone but also how to give confidence to his team in front of him.
"It's the confidence and swagger that he gives the rest of us. The way he carries himself in the crease, you can almost feel the body language is 'I got it, boys. Just go do your job. I got the rest.' That’s the way he makes us feel."
Binnington's counterpart, Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck, has allowed 23 goals in six games this postseason and owns an .815 save percentage.
Puck drop for the final game of the opening round is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.