May 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun (92) guards the net against the Ottawa Senators during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

If you look around the NHL at the moment, it is not hard to realize why the teams that remain are still in the hunt; it is all about the goalie.  The easiest example to point to from round one was the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The 2013 Penguins are an all-star team with a lineup that will be one for the ages.  Rarely does a team with this much skill actually come together and because of such they are the favorite to win the cup, but that is not a given.  Marc Andre-Fleury showed us all just how important it is to have a solid netminder.  The New York Islanders kept in the series by taking advantage of Fleury’s sloppy play.  Although the Pens had the offensive strength to stay in games, it could have been a lot easier on them with a solid netminder, just ask Tomas Vokoun.

More recently, the work of the Detroit Red Wings Jimmy Howard has been the difference maker.  When the Wings forced the Anaheim Ducks out of the playoff picture, many thought Chicago would still have an easy time against the aging Wings.  Instead, Howard has kept his team in the hunt and has led them to a 2-1 series lead through the first three games.

May 18, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

You can go on and on.  The St. Louis Blues outplayed the Kings, but Jonathan Quick wasn’t about to allow the Blues to get an easy goal.  Henrik Lundqvist stole the series away from the Washington Capitals.  When Craig Anderson turns it on he picks up a game against the Penguins.  Goalies are the reason that teams win cups.

Sure, you have to have a solid team around the goalie and you have to have scoring.  Brian Elliott put on a great performance in the playoffs, but without the help of the offense Elliott could not do it alone.  Still, the goalie at the other end of the ice still outplayed Elliott.  This is the story of the NHL playoffs; this is why the Chicago Blackhawks could be in major trouble during their run.

The Blues have a log jam at the goalie position, but do they have a goalie that can win them a cup?  The short answer right now is no.  The Blues may make a move to send Halak on his way or maybe they make a move to see what they can get for Elliott, but either way they still don’t have the goalie to win them a cup.

Let’s hope the Blues find a way to improve in net.  LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan

Jordan Binnington

With Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott, and Jake Allen all competing for time with the St. Louis Blues, Binnington may have a great shot at starting in net for the Chicago Wolves next season.

Currently, Jordan Binnington has been the go-to goalie for the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League and for good reason.  Having played the last four season for the Owen Sound Attack, Binnington was best known as the goaltender that helped the Attack capture their first OHL Championship in 2011 and was later named top goaltender at the 2011 Memorial Cup.

In the 2012-13 season, Binnington set an Attack single season record by leading the team to 32 wins and seven shutout victories.  Binnington also maintained a miniscule goals-against-average at just 2.17 to lead the league and had the third best save-percentage at 0.932.  The seven shutouts he managed also tied for the league lead.  All his hard work paid off earning the Dave Pinkney Trophy for allowing a league leading 165 goals against; this was the first time in the Attack’s history that they had won this trophy.

To round off his incredible season, Binnington was awarded the OHL’s goaltender of the year award at the end of April beating out well-known prospects John Gibson of the Kitchener Rangers and Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls.  Binnington had this to say about winning the award and his time with the Attack:

Receiving this award is something I am very proud of and will cherish forever.  It was a very exciting year for me on a number of levels and as a team we were such a strong hard-working group. My teammates made my job easier and I need to thank them first and foremost.  The Attack organization is first class and the city of Owen Sound has been extremely supportive throughout my time here. I couldn’t have asked for a better city to play in or a better group of fans to play in front of.

Although Binnington seems thrilled to have won the award, he is going to have to wait until June 4th to receive the actual honors when the OHL Awards Ceremony will be held at the Hockey Hall of Fame.  While he waits though, there are more conversations to be had as he is also the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year honors.

No matter what, the future of goaltending in St. Louis is looking bright not even mentioning that the Blues have locked up Niklas Lundstrom, a Swedish prospect that they picked up in the fifth round of the same 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Stay tuned for more new about your St. Louis Blues and the upcoming prospects.

LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan

Binnington will be formally presented with the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award on June 4 at the OHL Awards Ceremony held at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He is also the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year.