Binnington: Blues have sent strong message to GM before deadline
The St. Louis Blues' players may have no control over what general manager Doug Armstrong does at Friday's trade deadline, but goalie Jordan Binnington believes they've put together a compelling case to keep the band together.
"We've sent the message that we love each other and we want to find a way in this locker room and build for right now and the future," Binnington said after St. Louis' 3-2 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford.
"I think the message is there, but all we can do is focus on what we can control and just do our best every single day."
The Blues have gone a sizzling 5-1-1 since the break from the 4 Nations Face-Off. They rank sixth in the league in goals per game (3.86) and eighth in goals against (2.43) over that span.
The run has St. Louis (30-27-6) just one point outside of a wild-card spot with a 28.1% chance of making the postseason, per MoneyPuck. Before the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Blues were staring down an eight-point deficit.
A key part of the turnaround? The Blues are having fun.
"Our energy coming to the rink, whether it's practice or a game, just the way we're competing, it's so fun to be a part of," forward Jake Neighbours said. "The swagger we're playing with ... is something we didn't have early in the year."
It's been a roller-coaster campaign for the Blues, who abruptly changed head coaches once Jim Montgomery was cut from the Boston Bruins in November. A handful of key players have also come up in trade rumors, most notably captain Brayden Schenn.
Wednesday's victory was Armstrong's last look at his team before the trade deadline, and it was a strong showing from St. Louis. Robert Thomas scored the tying goal in the second period before netting the shootout winner, while Binnington turned aside 21 of 23 shots.
It was also the Blues' second victory over the Kings in a three-game span. St. Louis has beaten two other playoff teams - the Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals - in the last week-and-a-half.
"I think we've been playing committed hockey for a couple weeks here, and it's definitely showing," Binnington said. "It looks like we're tough to play against and we're getting chances, we're getting goals. That's the way we want to play as St. Louis Blues."
When asked if the Blues have the confidence to keep climbing the Western Conference standings down the stretch, Binnington responded affirmatively.
"We've gotta believe, and we do in here," he said. "We're trusting each other and the system that it's gonna work."