Canada’s Jordan Binnington to start against Finland; Cale Makar a game-time decision

Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington will get the call in the crease once again when Canada takes on Finland in Monday’s pivotal contest at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Canada enters Monday’s showdown needing a regulation win in order to advance to the championship final versus the United States. Canada can also advance with an overtime or shootout win with the caveat that Sweden does not win in regulation against the United States in Monday’s second contest.

Through the first two games at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Binnington is 1-1-0 with an .896 save percentage and 2.41 goals-against average. In Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win over Sweden, Binnington stopped 23 shots, while against the Americans on Saturday he turned aside 20 shots in a 3-1 loss punctuated by an empty net tally.

Through 39 appearances with the Blues this season, Binnington owns a 15-19-4 record alongside an .897 save percentage, 2.89 goals-against average, and three shutouts. Originally chosen by St. Louis in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft, Binnington broke onto the scene in 2018-19 after putting together a 24-5-1 regular season showing before leading the Blues to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title that spring.

Beyond Binnington, Canada’s roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off also include fellow goaltenders Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens and Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights.

While Binnington will play Monday, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who missed Saturday’s contest due to an illness, remains a game-time decision.

Through 57 appearances with the Avalanche this season, Makar has tallied 22 goals and 41 assists for 63 points to sit third in team scoring and first among defensemen league wide. The fourth-overall selection from the 2017 NHL Draft, Makar has totaled 372 contests with the Avalanche in which he has recorded 108 goals and 291 assists for 399 points.

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