On Saturday afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens took on the St. Louis Blues in the sixth game of a seven-game road trip. Martin St. Louis’ squad aimed to secure at least one point in their eighth consecutive game, while the Blues, playing the second half of a back-to-back, hoped to capitalize on the Canadiens’ fatigue. Despite the challenge, goaltender Jordan Binnington was impressive in goal on Friday night in St. Louis.
Although the Canadiens were favored by 10 points over the Blues on paper, the outcome was decided on the ice. Typically, the team that maximizes its chances comes out on top, which was true in this game on Sunday.
The Canadiens’ coach often emphasizes playing the game as it unfolds. While the Habs usually start strong with effective dump-ins and aggressive forechecking, such a strategy didn’t work against Binnington. Despite a less-than-stellar season record of 7-10-6 with a 3.56 goals-against average and .869 save percentage, Binnington remains one of the league’s top goaltenders, known for his puck-handling skills. This reputation earned him a spot on Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
Binnington acts like a third defenseman by assisting on puck plays deep in his zone, and Saturday night he was in excellent form. The Canadiens struggled to beat him, even during an extended 5-on-3 power play in the second period. The team might have had a better chance if Lane Hutson had been used instead of Noah Dobson on the two-man advantage. Dobson has been productive lately and given more ice time, but Hutson’s speed and creativity might have sparked more movement in the defense. Dobson’s powerful shot is most effective when the puck is actively circulated in front of the goalie. Saturday marked Binnington’s first home win since November 28.
Before the game, the Blues ranked 29th in the league, but they still boast some highly skilled offensive players, making odd-man rushes dangerous. In the first period, the Blues had four such opportunities but couldn’t convert thanks to solid goaltending by Jacob Fowler. However, those chances helped build momentum for the hosts.
In the second period, Hutson’s turnover at center ice during a power play led to another odd-man rush for the Blues, and Robert Thomas scored to put St. Louis up 2-0, a lead they held until the final minute. Zachary Bolduc, who was traded from the Blues to the Canadiens last summer, played a key role in the Blues’ first goal with a strong assist to Jaden Struble.
Alexandre Texier had a promising breakaway in the first period but hesitated too long, allowing the Blues to intercept and counterattack effectively. Execution seemed off for the Canadiens, who missed several prime opportunities, including open nets, which surely frustrated the team. With Josh Anderson sidelined, Brendan Gallagher played on the third line with former teammates Phillip Danault and Bolduc. Gallagher took six shots in 40 minutes but couldn’t score against Binnington, who claimed his first 2-0 shutout win in months.
The Canadiens had no time to rest after the game, flying directly to Texas to face the Dallas Stars on Sunday. They will be looking to avenge a heavy 7-0 loss the Stars handed them in November.
Fan Take: This game highlights the importance of seizing scoring opportunities and having a hot goalie—elements that make hockey thrilling and unpredictable. For Canadiens fans, it’s a reminder that stats on paper only tell part of the story; resilience and adaptability on the ice often dictate success in the sport.
