When Jordan Binnington was named to Team Canada's Olympic roster, it raised some eyebrows. Sure, he carried the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup Championship back in 2019, and he showed in last year's Four Nations tournament that he still has the ability to lock it down in high-pressure, competitive games--but the 2025-26 season has been nothing short of a disaster for Binnington. His minus-24.9 Goals Saved Above expected is the worst mark in the NHL, and his .864 save percentage is the 12th worst mark in the league. What had Binnington done this season to earn the starting job for Canada, aside from Blues general manager Doug Armstrong also managing the Olympic roster?
Well, Binnington got the nod against Team Czechia in Canada's first game of the tournament, and he delivered a decisive answer: he can--and should be--the starter for the Canadians. The Czechs aren't favorites in the Olymipcs, but they're a good team--and Binnington shut them out 5-0. It was a classic, vintage performance from the veteran netminder, that should silence any doubters. He's up for the job.
Binnington got a lot of help from the skaters in front of him, with 19-year old phenom Macklin Celebrini opening the goal scoring, followed by goals from Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki. For comparison, the Blues have only scored five or more goals five times in 57 games this season--and they lost two of those games. That lack of goal support has undoubtedly cost Binnington victories in the regular season.
The Olympic schedule is tight, with the Canadians playing again tomorrrow against the Swiss team. It's unlikely Binnington will get back-to-back starts, so the crease will go to either Logan Thompson (who's quietly putting together a Vezina-worthy season) or Darcey Kuemper, who was a Vezina finalist last year. When the Canadians play the French on Sunday, though, the coaching staff will have a decision to make: go back to Binnington after today's excellent showing, or keep him rested and use another goaltender. Either way, Binnington's made a case to get the first start when the medal rounds begin.