binnington_vegas_16x9

BLUES AT GOLDEN KNIGHTS

The
St. Louis Blues can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday
if they collect at least one more point than the Los Angeles Kings, who host the Colorado Avalanche. Both games begin Friday at 9 p.m.
The Blues had a chance to clinch a playoff spot Wednesday, but ultimately fell short in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

The Vegas Golden Knights have won 13 of their last 15 games and are four points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche for the lead in the West Division. Vegas has an opportunity to clinch first place in the division in their two-game set with the Blues.
In their most recent outing, Alex Pietrangelo scored on a one-timer 1:53 into overtime to seal a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild.
With the win, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury moved into third place in NHL history with his 490th career win. Only Martin Brodeur (691) and Patrick Roy (551) rank ahead of Fleury.

Perron ahead of back-to-back set with Vegas

THE SERIES SO FAR

Jan. 26: Blues 5, Golden Knights 4 (SO)
A back-and-forth game featured an excessive amount of penalties by both teams, but the Blues emerged with a 5-4 win thanks to shootout goals from David Perron and Brayden Schenn. Perron also scored twice in regulation, and Jordan Kyrou turned heads with a dazzling goal that former Blue Alex pietrangelo frustrated. Max Pacioretty netted a hat trick for Vegas, but Jordan Binnington made 42 saves to help the Blues to a win in the first game of the series.
March 12: Golden Knights 5, Blues 4 (OT)
Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first goal of the season in his third game back from shoulder surgery, helping the Blues overcome a 2-0 first period deficit to earn a point in an eventual overtime loss against the Golden Knights. Zach Sanford registered a goal and an assist, and Jordan Binnington made 35 saves. The Blues lost their third straight game in overtime but have still managed to collect points in seven consecutive games (4-0-3).
March 13: Golden Knights 5, Blues 1
Mark Stone scored twice in the third period, Max Pacioretty had a goal and two assists and Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves in a 5-1 win against the Blues.
March 22: Golden Knights 5, Blues 1
In a repeat of the last meeting between the teams, Mark Stone again came up with two goals in a four-goal third period for the Golden Knights. Vince Dunn scored the lone goal for the Blues while Jordan Binnington made 30 saves.
April 5: Golden Knights 6, Blues 1
Alec Martinez scored two goals and the Vegas Golden Knights scored four times in the second period en route to a 6-1 win against the Blues at Enterprise Center. Tyler Bozak scored the Blues' only goal in the game.
April 7: Blues 3, Golden Knights 1
Jordan Binnington made a career-high 50 saves to help the Blues snap a seven-game winless streak in a 3-1 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at Enterprise Center. Vladimir Tarasenko and Sammy Blais scored, but it was Jake Walman who sealed the win late in the third period with his first career NHL goal.

BLUE NOTES

The Blues have collected points in seven straight games (5-0-2) as they make a push for the final playoff spot in the division… Mike Hoffman has eight goals and four assists (12 points) in his last 11 games… Jordan Binnington became just the 10th goaltender in Blues history to record 70 wins on Monday vs. Anaheim… Robert Bortuzzo's next game will be his 300th as a Blue.