Thomas was crushed by Bruins defenseman Torey Krug late in Game 1 and will not play in Game 2. Head coach Craig Berube said that his absence is not related to that hit, but he will be replaced by Robby Fabbri regardless of what is taking him out of the lineup. This will be Fabbri’s first game since May 3rd, when he appeared in Game 5 vs. the Stars.
Thomas has sat out the last few practices, including Monday’s morning skate, but will play in Game 1 in Boston. Thomas has performed well during the postseason, scoring one goal with five assists (six points) in 19 games.
Binnington stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Blues 5-1 win over the Sharks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Binnington had a .912 SV% in the series and has posted a .914 SV% across the postseason. The Blues will start the Finals on the road, where Binnington has gone 7-2 with a 2.36 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout in the playoffs.
Binnington allowed five goals on 24 shots in the Blues 6-3 loss to the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Following a loss, Binnington has gone 3-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV%, so look for him to have a strong performance in Game 2.
Binnington allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Blues 4-1 win in Dallas in Game 6. Overall, Binnington has been better in round two than he was vs. the Jets, posting a .914 SV% through six games. The 25-year-old has gone 2-3-1 while allowing a combined 17 goals on 178 shots (.905 SV%) in six games the Enterprise Center during the postseason.
Binnington allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Blues 4-2 loss in Dallas in Game 4. The series now becomes a best-of-3 and the Blues are going to need more out of Binnington in Game 5. After a strong start to the series, Binnington has allowed a combined 10 goals on 96 shots (.896 SV%) in the last three games. On home-ice in the playoffs, Binnington is 2-2-1 while stopping 136 of 151 shots (.901 SV%).
Binnington allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Blues come from behind a 3-2 win in Winnipeg in Game 5. After a tough Game 3, Binnington has played well in the last two games, stopping 66 of the 70 shots (.943 SV%) that he faced. The 25-year-old continues to show that the regular season was no fluke and will look to close-out the Jets tonight on home-ice.
Binnington allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Blues come from behind a 3-2 win in Winnipeg in Game 5. After a tough Game 3, Binnington has played well in the last two games, stopping 66 of the 70 shots (.943 SV%) that he faced. The 25-year-old continues to show that the regular season was no fluke and will look to close-out the Jets tonight on home-ice.
Binnington allowed two goals on 39 shots in the Blues 2-1 overtime loss to the Jets in Game 4. Binnington dropped both games in St. Louis but returns to Winnipeg, where he was 2-0 while stopping 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%) in the first two games of the series. Overall, he has allowed 12 goals on 122 shots (.902 SV%) in the postseason.
Fabbri has been a healthy scratch for the first three games of the playoffs but will replace Zach Sanford on the fourth line. Sanford had an extremely quiet season, scoring two goals with four assists (six points) in 32 games.
Binnington allowed six goals on 29 shots in the Blues 6-3 loss to the Jets in Game 3. The Jets finally got to Binnington after he stood on his head in the first two games of the series. Binnington was 6-0-0 with a .941 SV% after a loss in the regular season and if he can continue that streak, the Blues will take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Binnington allowed six goals on 29 shots in the Blues 6-3 loss to the Jets in Game 3. The Jets finally got to Binnington after he stood on his head in the first two games of the series. Binnington was 6-0-0 with a .941 SV% after a loss in the regular season and if he can continue that streak, the Blues will take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Krug was forced to leave Game 2 after being crushed by Jake Muzzin and did not return. However, Krug was on the ice for the morning skate and is expected to be back on a pairing with Brandon Carlo and on the top power-play unit. Krug has had a solid start to the series, picking up one assist in each game.
Binnington allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Blues 4-3 win in Winnipeg in Game 2. Binnington, who was the best goalie in the NHL after he was called up for good in January, has picked up right where he left off, stopping 50 of the 54 shots (.926 SV%) that he faced through two games. The 25-year-old now returns to St. Louis, where he was a ridiculous 14-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .922 SV% this season.
Binnington did not make his first start until January 7th. At that time, the Blues were 29th in the NHL at 16-19-4. After that point, Binning led the NHL in wins (24), second in GAA (1.83) and sixth in SV% (.930) and the Blues were the best team in hockey, going 29-9-5. The 25-year-old obviously has no playoff experience but has been one of the best goalies in the NHL over the last three and a half months, giving the Blues a great chance of pulling off a first round upset.
