We are entering the final full week of March. April is right around the corner, as is the end of the regular season. Unfortunately, the Stanley Cup Playoffs do not seem to be in store for the St. Louis Blues. However, there is still much to look at as we finish out the season.
The Blues started and completed a three-game road trip over the course of the last week. They went 1-1-1 on said trip. As always, let’s look at the standout players from the past week.
Standout #3: Jordan Binnington
Jordan Binnington played in two games last week. His first game on Sunday was a rough one. He gave up two goals early in the game, including one that he most likely should have stopped in the opening minutes. The Blues lost to the Winnipeg Jets, 3-2, but outplayed them the entire game. One or two more key saves by Binnington could have been the difference.
Binnington played on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. He was not tested much, but made the saves when he was tested. Neither team had many shots, making the shots that did get on goal important. He was able to do his part, helping the Blues pick up a 3-1 victory. It was a good team win, as Binnington himself noted:
“We had a good first two periods and the third period wasn’t perfect. We did find a way to win and in the end find a way to get that empty-net goal. But our focus is getting better and better, and I think for the majority of the game today, we did that.”
Standout #2: Logan Mailloux
It has been a tale of two seasons for Logan Mailloux. That shaky start that got him optioned to the American Hockey League (AHL) seems ages ago now.
Since joining the top pair following the Justin Faulk trade, Mailloux has seen his minutes increase. That continued to be the case last week. Mailloux played no less than 21 minutes and nearly 27 on Wednesday. The Ontario native recorded three points, all assists.
Perhaps the most important statistic was his plus/minus. Mailloux was a plus-1 across the three games, showing that when he is on the ice, the team is generating goals rather than goals against. Mailloux is not the sole reason for this trend; there are four other players with him, plus the goaltender. However, it is a positive trend for someone the Blues want to be part of their future.
Standout #1: Dylan Holloway
Dylan Holloway continues his strong play since the Olympics. The 24-year-old scored two goals and added an assist last week. The top line of Holloway, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Kyrou remains the Blues’ best at the moment, with Holloway playing a big role.
Related: Today in Hockey History: March 22
Holloway now has 15 goals in 46 games this season. This would put him on pace for 26 goals if he played all 82 games. For a season that has been frustrating due to injuries, he is showing that last season’s production may not have been a fluke.
If he continues this scoring surge to end the season, the Blues may have to make a choice. Do they sign him to a long-term extension or a bridge deal to make sure the injuries are not going to be a problem moving forward?
The Week Ahead
The Blues return home for a three-game homestand. They will welcome Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals to town on Tuesday night. Blues’ fans, while Ovechkin has not said anything one way or another, there is always the possibility that this season is it for him. Go out there and see the “Great 8” while you can. Please make sure to bring home a Blue Note winner, however!
