TSN: Who Starts Game Six?

[m1a2lt]

Hate I don't have an XM or NHL Network choice.

So, been hearing different opinions around the NHL who the Blues should start. On the Powerplay on NHLXM, its Binnington. On the NHL network, its Allen. TSN: Couldn't hear with their discussion about the Cannuckleheads. So, who starts?

I'm in the Binnington camp. His numbers are horrible but he responded well in the past. I think he dominates. At least if we play him and he flounders, we finally know what we have for the next contract.

Nothing against Allen; he saved us in two games but after the last game, maybe time to sit.

What say you?

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[Linkens Mastery]

Allen. Binnington has been bad all postseason/round robin/exhibition. Jake had a bad 1/2 a period out 4 games played where the entire team in front of him forgot how the hockey then went right back to wall mode for the rest of the game.

 

[TheDizee]

binner.

 

[Hank Hull]

I'm leaning towards Allen. He needs to be better than he was in Game 5, but look at the goals he allowed: one on Petro's exploding stick, one that he had covered, one off of his back, and one that might have bounced off of a ref.

Binnington is the guy to start next season when we can afford some growing pains, but he's looked awful against Vancouver and we don't have the leeway to give him one more chance. Maybe next round if we get that far.

 

[WATTAGE4451]

Whoever starts needs a short hook. I was all for starting allen game 5 but i could tell pretty early that he was off and wasnt going to have a good day.

Allen isnt a guy you stick with when hes off, he doesnt figure it out, hes either great or he folds. If allen starts, he needs to be pulled immediately if his body language is saying hes off.

 

[Note Worthy]

Binnington. If he's off his game then we aren't doing jack squat in the playoffs this year anyway so you might as well put it in his hands. He's your starter, you rode Allen until he had an off game like you should, now it's time to go back to your #1.

 

[AjaxManifesto]

Great goaltending wins cups....

Sadly, we just don't have it in the bubble....

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Binnington. He is our guy. Allen stepped in when Binner struggled but time for Binnington to take reigns and lead us onward.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

I would go with Allen but it will be Binnington.

I understand the reasoning for both and have zero problem with either guy. Allen is playing far better and got us to this point so I say dance with the guy who brought you.

Binner? Well all he did was win a Cup one year ago. Hard to ignore that success and his potential to absolutely steal a big game.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I won’t fault Berube for either choice. I lean towards Binnington, but frankly part of that is just hope that he will get it together more than sound reasoning.

He sees them in practice and knows their confidence and body language. I think Allen has earned more of a look, but we can’t know if Binnington is getting sharp unless he plays.

 

[Stlblue50]

Binnington.

 

[SaintLouHaintBlue]

Does the path to the cup necessarily go through Binnington or can Allen carry the rest of the way if he gets hot?

 

[ort]

Husso!

 

[bluesXwinXtheXcup]

Binnington.

If we lose with him next game, he'll have gone from 16 playoff wins to 0.

Quite a drop. Certainly a record...

 

[Brian39]

Binner.

Allen's movement was extremely efficient in games 3 and 4. It wasn't bad or sloppy in game 5 but it wasn't as good. The loss in edge work efficiency has repeatedly been the hallmark of Allen's game slipping. It leads to all the other holes in his game and snowballs. I wouldn't say he was bad in game 5, but he wasn't very good. More importantly, I saw all the red flags we usually see when his game is about to go very south. After seeing those red flags, I don't want to put him out for his 4th game in 6 nights. That is a recipe for disaster with a goalie whose biggest issue in the past has been managing a heavy workload. I would have played Allen in each of the last 3 games, but I don't have confidence that he will give us the game we need tonight.

Moreover, from a long-term organizational standpoint, I want to see how Binner responds to this adversity. We have to make a decision about our goaltending this summer. The 2 year bridge deal takes Binner to UFA next summer. I have to think the organization offered that contract because they needed to see another strong playoff performance before giving him above-average starter money. If we don't trust him tonight are we extending him without seeing it or are we going into next year's playoffs with a pending UFA in net? I don't like either of those options. Let's get some more data tonight.

This is a no brainer for me. Berube should have a several minute long talk with Allen about his contribution and being ready to jump in if needed tonight. The talk with Binner should be simple:

"Binner, you're in. Go take your f***ing net back."

 

[Stlblue50]

It’s not fair to judge Binnington on the warm up games and just 2 “playoff” games under these very odd circumstances. Although I remember Binner overall looking very strong in the warm up games. He was on a short list of Blues players that looked the most like their normal selfs. I was really surprised by games 1-2. I expect they go with Binnington tonight and expect a strong game from him.

It’s important to remember that he was the hottest goalie in the league (save% and GAA) in the previous 10-15 games when the season paused. If the season played out like it should have then we most likely would have seen last year’s Binnington again.

 

[mw2noobbuster]

Binnington, he's the guy.

 

[WATTAGE4451]

It’s not fair to judge Binnington on the warm up games and just 2 “playoff” games under these very odd circumstances. Although I remember Binner overall looking very strong in the warm up games. He was on a short list of Blues players that looked the most like their normal selfs. I was really surprised by games 1-2. I expect they go with Binnington tonight and expect a strong game from him.

It’s important to remember that he was the hottest goalie in the league (save% and GAA) in the previous 10-15 games when the season paused. If the season played out like it should have then we most likely would have seen last year’s Binnington again.

Binny in the last 15 games of the season had a .911 sv% theres no way that the hottest in the league.

The best cherry picked sample size would be he had a .929 sv% in his last 9 starts with 2 shutouts, but thise shutputs were games where the blues defense dominated and only allowed 14 and 17 shots.

There was another game in that stretch where he only faced 17 shots in a game that went 4 minutes into overtime.

He had a sub .900 sv % since december 4th. He looked better the last 9 games but was hardly tested and not really what id classify as hottest goalie in league

 

[Stlblue50]

Binny in the last 15 games of the season had a .911 sv% theres no way that the hottest in the league.

The best cherry picked sample size would be he had a .929 sv% in his last 9 starts with 2 shutouts, but thise shutputs were games where the blues defense dominated and only allowed 14 and 17 shots.

There was another game in that stretch where he only faced 17 shots in a game that went 4 minutes into overtime.

He had a sub .900 sv % since december 4th. He looked better the last 9 games but was hardly tested and not really what id classify as hottest goalie in league

Hmm try looking up his last 10. I thought I remember reading somewhere that he had some of the best numbers leading up to the pause.

I could be wrong though, that was what feels like a couple of years ago

 

[WATTAGE4451]

Hmm try looking up his last 10. I thought I remember reading somewhere that he had some of the best numbers leading up to the pause.

I could be wrong though, that was what feels like a couple of years ago

His last 9 was a 929 sv% his last 10 will be slightly lower than that.

His gaa is pretty low though in that last 9 because of 2 shutouts and the fact that the blues let up 17 or less shots in 3 of those 9 games so his last 10 are good as a result as well.

 

[stl76]

The right choice was made IMO, just didn't work out. Even with the benefit of hindsight, I have zero issue with Berube going back to Binner.