MONTREAL (AP) — Jordan Binnington knows there’s talk. The mindset he relies on has helped him get through tough times.
The goalie, who backed up Team Canada in the Four Nations showdown, opened the NHL season as the front-runner in Milan-Cortina in February. But his slow start with the St. Louis Blues has raised questions about his place in Canada’s Olympic plans.
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“I know what’s going on and you want to put yourself in the best position to build this team and make it easier for people to make decisions,” he told The Canadian Press. “At the same time, I feel like I’ve been in the league a long time and I know that if I control my inner world and what I need to do to feel my best, then the rest of it will fall into place.
“That’s my focus.”
Sunday night was a step in that direction.
Binnington made 23 saves in a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, stymiing several Grade-A chances, including a late shot from Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield to earn his seventh win of the season.
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It was a strong performance in a difficult season for the 32-year-old from Ontario, who posted career lows in every category.
Binnington’s .875 save percentage ranks 68th in the league and sixth-worst among goaltenders with at least 10 games. According to analytics website Natural Stat Trick, he has an above-average minus-10.86 goals-saved average (a measure of a goaltender compared to the league average), which is also fifth-worst.
“The numbers aren’t necessarily what you want,” the 6-foot-2, 172-pound netminder said. “I’ve always looked at it as just focusing on my process and what I need to feel good about at the right time. I’m building my game every day, and all I can do is control what I can control.
“The more I do it, the more things will come out and fall into place.”
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Binnington said he has not discussed the Olympic selection less than a month ago with the Canadian management team – Doug Armstrong is both St. Louis’ and Team Canada’s general manager.
“We haven’t discussed it at all. I don’t think there’s really anything to say, just do your job and stay focused on it, and the better the St. Louis Blues do, the better for this situation,” he said.
One thing that works in Binnington’s favor is his proven ability to step up in big moments.
He led St. Louis to the 2019 Stanley Cup and went from minor league goaltender to season savior and playoff hero in just a few months.
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The fiery netminder — also known for his short temper — produced the same clutch play in the Four Nations final, stopping 31 of the U.S.’s 33 shots in Canada’s 3-2 win, including a desperate glove save on Auston Matthews in overtime.
“If you look at the statistics, you know … but Binnington is a winner,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “No matter what the stage is, he always has the ability to bounce back because of his mental toughness, his belief in himself, and he was outstanding (Sunday).”
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
