As Team Canada takes the ice against Team Czech Republic to kick off Olympic hockey, it appears that St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington will the Canadian starter.
That will be a surprise to many. When you look at his NHL numbers for the season, you might wonder, “Why Binnington?” But there is so much more going on than the statistics show. And those are the things that make it clear why Canada is leaning on him.
Binnington can handle the pressure like few others
This season has been tough-eight wins in 32 games, a career-low .864 save percentage. Not exactly what you’d call ‘stellar’. But the thing about Binnington is: he has a strange ability to show up when people doubt him. Do you remember the confrontation between the 4 countries? He helped Canada to victory and made the saves that changed the momentum in big moments. That is mental toughness, and in a short tournament like the Olympic Games that counts for everything.
Add in a Canadian defense – disciplined, solid, very different from what he sees in St. Louis – and suddenly he could be in a good spot. He has traditionally been strong on low-percentage shots, and in a tournament where every puck matters, that kind of reliability could be exactly what Canada needs.
A look at Binnington’s game
Yes, there are things to look at. He can let in a goal over the glove, or sometimes the shoulder stays a step behind. When playing quickly sideways, he can get caught if he isn’t set up perfectly. But you can adjust those kinds of things when the spotlight is on, and he knows that. He has the consciousness; he just has to hold on. In an environment like this, with some of the best shooters in the world coming at him, those little adjustments can make all the difference.
Why Binnington could be the right choice
Olympic goaltending isn’t just about statistics. You need nerves of steel, a steady head and someone who can make the game-changing save when it matters most. Binnington has proven he can do that. Playing behind a strong, predictable Canadian defense could even help him find the rhythm he had during his best seasons.
Between big saves and leading by example, Binnington seems like the obvious choice for Canada. The Olympic spotlight could be just what he needs to prove himself – and leave a little sparkle on his resume. Is he the guy Team Canada wants in net when the pressure is at its greatest? We’ll see.
Related: Suzuki is one of Team Canada’s most interesting Olympians
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