Binnington vs. Thompson: The decision that could sink Canada

Every Olympic year seems to come with one big Canadian debate. Sometimes it’s the line combos. Sometimes it’s the referees. This year? It’s the fold. Specifically, belongs to Team Canada Jordan Binnington the right man in net? Because a lot of fans are steering the conversation towards Logan Thompson.

Good goalkeeping is half science and half magic

Goalkeeper debates are interesting because good goalkeepers can be so different. Goaltending is half science, half magic trick, and sometimes you don’t know which half you’re looking at. Binnington’s supporters say he has earned his chance. Team Canada Jon Cooper continues to publicly support himand to be fair, the Blues goalkeeper has had moments where he has seemed completely locked in. Those plays remind you why he once guided a team through a playoff run.

But you can’t ignore the other side: Binnington has lived a tough hockey life behind a struggling St. Louis team. Game after game he is always busy fighting various hockey demons. With the Blues, he sees a slew of rushing opportunities and defensive failures.

When a goalie lives like this long enough, it’s hard to tell if a good play is skill, survival instinct, or just a stroke of luck when the puck keeps hitting him in the logo. Some nights, Binnington looks like the man who once lifted the Stanley Cup. Other evenings he is a little less.

Logan Thompson is calm and drama-free

Speaking of Thompson, he’s the calm one in this conversation. No fuss, no theater, just steady goaltending. He has that relaxed attitude that makes coaches feel safe. He’s the goalie who doesn’t make you hold your breath every time the puck crosses the blue line. Many Canadian fans think he is exactly what Canada needs if they want to avoid that one bad jump that sends them home early.

So here we are again, a hockey nation staring into the fold and asking the big question: go with the guy who’s done it before, or ride the one who feels a little safer?

At the Olympics, one mistake can change an entire match

Canada doesn’t get many freebies at the Olympics. One mistake can ruin the entire tournament. And sooner or later, Cooper will have to decide which goalie he trusts when the ice gets tough, and the entire country must rise to the occasion together.

The goalkeeper debate is going nowhere. And that’s half the fun.

Related: Jake Guentzel calls out the media for criticizing Auston Matthews