Buchnevich missed Thursday's practice due to illness but was a full participant Friday and is expected to be in the lineup vs. Colorado. The 28-year-old left-winger has been one of the Blues' most productive forward this season with his 12 goals, 28 points, 87 SOG, 22 PIMs and +5 plus/minus through 32 games played this season.
Despite a heroic effort from Joel Hofer in the Blues' last contest, in which he saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, they will likely turn back to Binnington on Friday. Binnington has allowed five goals in each of his last two outings, posting an abysmal .767 SV%, but managed to salvage a 1-1-0 record. The Blues, who have won three straight, are +147 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche team that they demolished 8-2 on November 11th.
Buchnevich was held without a point in 19:42 time-on-ice on Wednesday, firing five shots on goals and taking three hits, but was absent from practice on Thursday as he battles an illness. His status for Friday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche remains in the air.
Despite winning three straight contests, Jordan Binnington will serve as the backup for the second time in the last three games for the Blues. Hofer was outstanding on December 21st, saving 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers. Hofer has been wildly inconsistent in his first full season at the NHL level but has saved 46 of the last 48 shots he has faced (.958 SV%). The Blues are +153 home underdogs against the Dallas Stars, who they defeated 4-3 less than two weeks ago.
Hofer will start for the first time since December 8th, a five-game stretch, on Thursday after Jordan Binnington allowed five goals in an eventual 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Blue's last game. Hofer saved nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%) entering the game in relief on Thursday and has failed to record a save percentage above .900 in each of his last four outings (0-3-0). The Blues are +187 road underdogs against the Florida Panthers, who have been held to one or fewer goals in three of their last four outings (1-3-0).
Hofer will likely start for the first time since December 8th, a five-game stretch, on Thursday after Jordan Binnington allowed five goals in an eventual 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Blue's last game. Hofer saved nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%) entering the game in relief on Thursday and has failed to record a save percentage above .900 in each of his last four outings (0-3-0). The Blues are +187 road underdogs against the Florida Panthers, who have been held to one or fewer goals in three of their last four outings (1-3-0).
Faksa was a healthy scratch on Monday but will return to the lineup on Thursday in favour of Ty Dellandrea. Faksa is riding a two-game point streak (0G / 2A) and will assume his regular role on the fourth line with Craig Smith and Sam Steel.
McGing made his season debut on December 9th and played five straight games for the Blues, but we held without a point and registered a -5 plus/minus while averaging under nine minutes on the ice. He has been reassigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, where he has 14 points (4G / 11A) in 21 games.
Binnington will start for the fifth consecutive game and look for his third-straight win on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the two games since Drew Bannister took over coaching duties for the Blues, Binnington has won both games, saving 52 of 57 shots (.912 SV%) in the process. The Blues are +151 road favourites against the Lightning despite defeating them 5-0 in their only other meeting, a 30-save shutout for Binnington, his only one of the season.
Binnington will likely start for the fifth consecutive game and look for his third-straight win on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the two games since Drew Bannister took over coaching duties for the Blues, Binnington has won both games, saving 52 of 57 shots (.912 SV%) in the process. The Blues are +151 road favourites against the Lightning despite defeating them 5-0 in their only other meeting, a 30-save shutout for Binnington, his only one of the season.
Faksa will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Seattle Kraken, allowing Craig Smith to draw back into the lineup. Faksa has six points (2G / 4A) in 25 games this season and is only averaging 12:59 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his 2015-16 rookie season.
Joseph left Friday's game with a lower-body injury and did not return. With the Senators recalling two forwards from Belleville (AHL) on Saturday, it signals that Joseph will not play Sunday in Vegas.
Binnington starts his fourth-straight game Saturday as he takes on Dallas after a 32 save (.941 SV%) win over Ottawa in his previous start. The 30-year-old Stanley Cup winner has brought his game back after two down seasons, with his 9-9-1 record, 3.05 GAA and .909 SV%. He will host the Dallas Stars, who have won their last two games and are seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).
Binnington had a forgettable performance on Tuesday, allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) but will look to redeem himself as the Blues' starting goalie on Thursday. Binnington's season has consisted of hot and cold stretches and is currently amid a cold streak, losing three straight contests (0-3-0), allowing 13 goals on 13 total shots (.874 SV%). The Blues are slight +107 home underdogs against an Ottawa Senators team that has won three of their last five outings, outscoring their opposition 17-10.
MacEachern had four goals, 12 points, eight PIMs and a -4 plus/minus in 22 games with Springfield (AHL) this season and has earned his first call-up to St. Louis on Wednesday. The 29-year-old forward did not appear in any regular season NHL games in 2022-23 but did appear in eight games in the playoffs with Carolina, picking up a goal and an assist to go along with his +4 plus/minus.
Binnington allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and will return to the crease for the Blues on Tuesday. Binnington has now put together consecutive poor performances, allowing eight goals on his last 72 shots (.889 SV%) and seen his season GAA increase to 3.00 while still sporting a respectable .911 SV%. The Blues are -134 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings team that lost 6-3 to the Dallas Stars last night and is without several key offensive players including Dylan Larkin (upper-body), J.T. Compher (soreness), and David Perron (suspension).
Joseph has not played since November 4th, recovering from a lower-body injury, and has only played five total games this season. During a conditioning stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Joseph scored one point (0G / 1A) in two games. He will draw into the Penguins lineup Tuesday for Ryan Shea.
Binnington allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and will likely return to the crease for the Blues on Tuesday. Binnington has now put together consecutive poor performances, allowing eight goals on his last 72 shots (.889 SV%) and seen his season GAA increase to 3.00 while still sporting a respectable .911 SV%. The Blues are -134 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings team that lost 6-3 to the Dallas Stars last night and is without several key offensive players including Dylan Larkin (upper-body), J.T. Compher (soreness), and David Perron (suspension).
