Jordan Binnington’s perfect save percentage in 2026 did not last long.
After opening the year with a 26-save shutout win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, the St. Louis Blues netminder was burned for seven goals on 35 shots Wednesday in a 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Blues head coach Jim Montgomery signalled to pull Binnington after the Blackhawks scored their seventh of the night in the third period, but could not locate backup Joel Hofer.
Hofer was behind Montgomery in the tunnel leading to the team’s dressing room with bench space apparently limited at the United Center.
Montgomery did not address the attempted goalie change post-game, while Binnington did not face another shot over the final five minutes and 54 seconds of the game.
Binnington’s record dropped to 8-11-6 on the season with Wednesday’s loss, with his save percentage now sitting at .871 with a 3.55 goals-against average. He was starting consecutive games for the first time since suffering losses to the Anaheim Ducks and Utah Mammoth to open the month of December.
The Richmond Hill, Ont. native has shown flashes of brilliance, like his shutout against the Habs and a 29-save overtime victory over the New York Rangers on Dec. 18, but has posted a save percentage below .900 in nine of his past 11 starts.
The 32-year-old had a 28-22-5 record last season with a .900 save percentage and a 2.69 save percentage. Most of success, though, came down the stretch as he finished the campaign with a 15-3-2 record over his final 20 starts and there was optimism his first shutout of the season could be sign of another turnaround.
“He was great,” Defenceman Cam Fowler said of Binnington after Saturday’s win. “Gave us a chance to win that hockey game, made some huge saves for us in some crucial times and was a big reason why we were able to get the two points tonight. Him and [Joel Hofer], they always battle for us and give us a chance to win. Binner was outstanding.”
The highlight of Binnington’s 2025 came at the 4 Nations Face-Off, when he backstopped Canada to an overtime victory over the United States in the final. He started all four games for Canada at the tournament which helped cement his spot on this year’s Olympic team.
Team Canada named Binnington, Washington Capitals netminder Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings to its roster. It remains unclear which goaltender Canada will tab as the starter next month.
Thompson has a 15-12-4 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.40 GAA, while Kuemper is 12-7-7 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.38 GAA.
