Canada needs more from Jordan Binnington as 4 Nations Face-Off continues
The opening minutes of the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off game were absolutely electric.
From the raucous Bell Centre crowd to the introduction of Mario Lemieux and then Nathan MacKinnon’s power-play goal less than a minute in, the energy was something we just haven’t seen from a North American-hosted hockey game in quite some time.
And Jordan Binnington had a front-row seat to the action.
Binnington didn’t need to face a single high-danger chance in the first period. He was a bit busier early in the second period, with his most impressive stop being a stick save just over five minutes in. Beyond that, it was mostly status quo for the St. Louis Blues goaltender.
Until it wasn’t.
Binnington allowed two goals he’d probably like back to make it a 3-2 game early in the second. There wasn’t much he could have done on a 2-on-0 in tight to make it 3-3, but they needed Binnington to deliver in overtime. And he did, stopping all four shots he faced – including two five-bell one-timer chances that gave Canada the momentum they needed to win the game 4-3. According to Natural Stat Trick, Binnington had an expected goal against of 1.74, with just one goal being a high-danger chance.
Overall, it wasn’t a great game for Binnington, but he held down the fort as the Swedes created some dangerous chances down the stretch. The response to each goal against was critical, and while the first two goals were not ideal, he shut the door when it mattered most.
Goaltending was an extremely hot topic heading into the tournament for Canada and many questioned Binnington’s appointment – both to the team, and in the crease for Game 1. But with Binnington’s experience winning the 2019 Stanley Cup, he’s dealt with pressure before.
Jordan Binnington makes a game saving stop!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canada #Sweden pic.twitter.com/vyYHAMYaM8
Ask any goalie: going through long stretches without a difficult save can make it challenging to stay sharp. If you watch back clips from the first period, you could see Binnington moving around more in his crease to keep himself warm when things were quiet. When that first goal went in, he looked unprepared. When the second beat him, he reacted too slowly. You had to wonder where his head was at.
But when the Swedes peppered him the first three chances in overtime, he looked dialed in – like we know he’s capable of. He can be extremely shaky, but Binnington has always been a goaltender who needed to stay busy and get himself moving on high-danger chances to stay locked in.
Beating Sweden in a game that wasn’t particularly heavy on the shot count is one thing. But the bout against the United States will be a totally new challenge. Saturday night in front of one of the wildest hockey crowds in the NHL, featuring two North American rivals – the two teams most expect to advance to the final. The pressure will be insane, and it doesn’t help that Canada will be going up against Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck, either.
Canada can’t change their goalies, so they have to go with who they have. So, debating Binnington’s inclusion over someone sitting at home is futile. What Canada really needs is Binnington – or Hill, if they so choose – to bring their A-game every single night. There’s no room for mistakes, especially with every point meaning so much.
When asked on Tuesday why he picked Binnington to be the No. 1 in a tournament that likely won’t see any rotation, coach Jon Cooper said,” He’s a confident kid, and he wants to be in that spot.” That confidence has taken Binnington far in his career, but it can be a sense of fault at times, too. He’s as competitive as it comes, and he hasn’t been in a situation this important since that 2019 run. But Binnington also had an ugly showing at the men’s World Championship this past spring, allowing
The Jordan Binnington who allowed the Swedes to get back into the game can’t be the one who shows up on Saturday. The Jordan Binnington who stood tall after allowing the third Swedish goal needs to take center stage if Canada is going to have the upper hand as the tournament wears on.
But no matter what, Binnington has to be better. No question about it.
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