St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington wasn’t nominated for the Vezina Trophy this season. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets was. Hellebuyck, as a matter of fact, will likely sweep the voting for the trophy.
But that hasn’t stopped Binnington from outdueling Hellebuyck when it’s mattered the most.
This year, a one-of-a-kind tournament, the 4 Nations Face-Off took place, showcasing the best players from each participating country.
Hellebuyck started for Team USA. Binnington for Team Canada. And, wouldn’t you know it, Binnington and Hellebuyck met in the Final.
Let me be honest for a second. I wouldn’t have picked Binnington to start for Team Canada. If I had been Jon Cooper, I would have picked Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights or even Samuel Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens. Hill is also a Stanley Cup winner and a little less hot-headed than Binnington.
But Cooper went with Binnington. Binnington kept his cool and Canada took home the title. The 4 Nations final was a game to remember for Binnington and Canada; not so much for the US.
Fast-forward to the Stanley Cup playoffs, and sure enough, Jordan Binnington and Connor Hellebuyck met in the first round. The top-seeded high-flying Jets against a scrappy Blues team that peaked at the right time and made it into the playoffs, grabbing the final spot.
Now, both netminders will clash in Game 7. Another winner-take-all matchup in which Binnington and Hellebuyck stand to be at their best. But when looking at the overall picture of this series, it’s been Binnington who’s outdueled Hellebuyck yet again.
Looking at the numbers for Binnington, Hellebuyck in 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs
Jordan Binnington has racked up a 3-3 mark this postseason with a 2.54 GAA and an .897 SV%. While not overly impressive numbers, Binnington has yet to have a “stinker” in the series. Game 7 won’t be the exception. Fans will likely see vintage Binnington, the kind that shows up for the biggest games.
As for Hellebuyck, he’s also 3-3 this postseason, with a 4.42 GAA and an .815 SV%. Those abysmal numbers are hardly something a Vezina-nominated goaltender would produce. Moreover, the Blues have chased Binnington three times in the series, most recently in Game 6 after a four-goal outburst in the second period.
Of course, there’s a chance vintage Connor Hellebuyck shows up for Game 7 and steals one for the Jets. He could always stand on his head and lead the Jets to a series win. But so can Binnington. Binnington has done it before in the playoffs.
Hellebuyck, unfortunately, no.
Sunday night’s Game 7 will be one of the most entertaining matchups of the first round. If it’s anything like the Dallas-Colorado Game 7 from Saturday night, fans will be in for a treat on one side, and a bitter disappointment on the other.