Blues’ Goaltending Shuffle: Binnington Pulled Early, Hofer Holds the Line in Loss to Ducks
The St. Louis Blues had a decision to make ahead of Monday night’s tilt against the Anaheim Ducks: ride the recent steadiness of backup Joel Hofer, or stick with the momentum of Jordan Binnington, who came into the game unbeaten in regulation over his last six starts. Head coach Jim Montgomery chose the latter - but the night didn’t go as planned.
Binnington, 32, didn’t have it early. He faced just five shots in the opening period but allowed two to slip past, prompting Montgomery to make a quick hook and send in Hofer.
The move was swift, and Binnington didn’t exactly hide his frustration on the bench. But from Montgomery’s perspective, it was about more than just the scoreline.
“For me, I’ve always looked at where the goals came from, and what’s the percentage that those goals should go in,” Montgomery said postgame. “A lot of times you let goalies fight through it. But sometimes when I feel that the goalie looks off, just like a player, I pull back his minutes.”
It’s a philosophy that doesn’t always sit well with goaltenders, especially veterans like Binnington. Unlike skaters, who can be quietly benched for a shift or two, pulling a goalie is a spotlight move - and everyone notices.
“I sit Buchy and Thomas for two minutes, they don’t play 19 minutes, they play 17 minutes and no one really notices,” Montgomery added. “Unfortunately for a goalie, everybody knows that you’re pulling him.”
To his credit, Hofer came in and did what he could. The 23-year-old stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced, keeping things respectable despite the early hole. But the Blues couldn’t generate enough push offensively to climb back, ultimately falling 4-1 to the Ducks - a tough pill for a team still searching for consistency this season.
This wasn’t just about one game or one goalie. It was a snapshot of where the Blues are right now: a team trying to find its identity, balancing veteran presence with emerging talent, and navigating the ups and downs that come with it.
Binnington’s been solid of late, but even the steadiest netminders hit rough patches. Hofer, meanwhile, continues to build trust in the backup role - and performances like this one only help his case.
For now, the Blues will regroup and look ahead. But Monday night was a reminder that in this league, decisions come fast, and reactions come faster - especially when the guy getting pulled is wearing goalie pads.