THE BLUES SCALE
Pettersson’s next big test
Goaltenders are often quirky. They have to be.
They’re cut from a different cloth because in facing vulcanized rubber whipping their way at as much as 100 m.p.h. — or 160.934 km/h in the modern measurement — they can be excused if they fuss over equipment and don’t talk on game day. Which brings us to Jordan Binnington.
The St. Louis Blues stopper believes he should have been awarded the Calder Trophy last year instead of finishing second to Vancouver Canucks sensation Elias Pettersson. The centre received 151 of 171 first-place votes.
It’s either the first grenade toss in advance of the clubs’ best-ofseven, opening-round Stanley Cup playoff matchup that opens Wednesday (7:30 p.m. PT), or just the competitive nature in Binnington bubbling to the surface.
Still, everybody knows how to avoid bulletin-board material. You can think it, but you can’t say it. Binnington couldn’t help himself.
After his stellar 33-save effort here Nov. 5 to backstop a 2-1 overtime win — he held Pettersson off the scoreboard but Elias did have six shots and seven attempts — the goalie got in a Calder dig.
“There’s a little bit of that bad taste in my mouth about the outcome last year,” said Binnington. “But he (Pettersson) is a talented player, so it’s good going up against some of the best.”
Pressed to clarify his comment about deserving the Calder, he simply said “yeah” and left it at that.
On Monday, the topic was just an ember with little spark, according to Pettersson.
“Both of us try to play our best every game and it’s not up to us who wins the Calder,” he said. “I mean, Binnington had a great season and he won the Stanley Cup. So, I don’t want to get into the Calder debate or anything.
“He played phenomenal during the regular season and I was happy with my season, too.”
Binnington posted eye-popping numbers last season, but a short sample size of 30 starts didn’t help. He did garner the other 20 firstplace votes based on a .927 save percentage, 1.89 goals-against average and backstopping the Blues to a 24-5-1 run.
So, his teammates understand the fire in the belly.
In 50 regular-season appearances this season, the 27-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., native went 30-13-7 with a 2.56 GAA and a .912 save percentage.
“We’re very confident with both of our goalies and Binner (Binnington) did a great job when he came up with us last year,” said Blues defenceman Vince Dunn. “Jordan had a very good year and could have been a Calder winner, but I don’t think he takes that personally — it just motivates him more.
“He hasn’t had the easiest path to get where he is and he motivates himself to be even better this year.”
By comparison, Pettersson led the Canucks in scoring last season with 66 points (28-38) in 71 games — 21 points better than Ottawa Senators rookie winger Brady Tkachuk — while also displaying determination to rebound from a concussion and a knee injury. Pettersson also paced all first-year players with 10 power play goals and a gaudy 19.4 per cent shooting accuracy.
Pettersson mirrored that point production this season (27-39) in three less games, but has been better because of an elevated compete level.
During the regular season and in a qualifying-round series victory over the Minnesota Wild, the Swedish centre showed a Canadian-like ability to take and deliver hits, and not get discouraged by the added attention.
Pettersson must have the will to complement skill and to get to Grade A scoring areas against the Cup-champion Blues. That’s a bigger story than trying to score on Binnington because Blues coach Craig Berube plans to use his starter and backup, Jake Allen, in consecutive series games Sunday and Monday.
“They’re the defending champions for a reason — they play hard and we had three tough games against them (this season) — but I’m excited,” said Pettersson, who had four points (1-3), 11 shots and nine attempts in the qualifying series either blocked or just miss the mark. “Minnesota was great for us, a great learning experience for those of us in (the playoffs) for the first time. It’s going to be a tough opponent, but everyone is ready now. We want to go as far as we can and we expect the games to get even tougher.”
They’re the defending champions for a reason — they play hard and we had three tough games against them (this season).
The Blues are deep down the middle and Pettersson has to use his speed to beat a path to his shooting sweet spot. A better overall team game in the qualifying round should help him find room, and so should the club’s ability to adapt to the heightened pace and grind of the post-season.
“Like all good players, you want them to play their best in the bigger games and, obviously, a lot of our young guys are new to this, but they’ve played bigger games before in other leagues,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “We’re looking for him (Pettersson) to do the same things he has done and keep progressing.”