Team Canada faces a must-win situation against Finland today at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and the news has broken: Jordan Binnington will be back in net for his third straight game. This decision by head coach Jon Cooper has raised eyebrows among some NHL insiders and Team Canada fans, particularly after Binnington’s shaky performance against the USA on Saturday, where he let in a soft goal. Is this a gamble Canada can afford to take?
Is Starting Jordan Binnington a Gamble Canada Can’t Afford?
Coach Cooper defended the decision, stating, “Kid’s played great for us and given us a chance to win.” While Binnington did secure an overtime win against Sweden, his overall performance in the tournament has been inconsistent. He currently holds a 2.41 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage. These numbers aren’t terrible, but they don’t exactly inspire confidence in a crucial game like this.
Looking at Binnington’s NHL season with the St. Louis Blues, he’s 15-19-4 with a 2.89 GAA and a .897 save percentage. Again, these are middle-of-the-pack stats. The question isn’t just about Binnington’s skill, but also about his mental fortitude. Can he bounce back from the USA game and deliver a strong performance under immense pressure? The weight of a nation rests on his shoulders, and the coaching staff is putting a lot of faith in him.
The risk here is significant. A loss against Finland eliminates Canada from the tournament, regardless of the USA vs. Sweden result. A shootout or overtime win for Canada means they’ll need help from the USA to advance. Only a regulation win guarantees Canada a spot in the final against the Americans. So, why stick with Binnington? Perhaps the coaching staff sees something in practice, or maybe they believe in his ability to rise to the occasion. Whatever the reasoning, it’s a bold move, and it could either make or break Canada’s tournament. Starting a goalie who just had a rough outing in such a high-stakes game is a huge gamble. It’s a testament to the coach’s belief in Binnington, but also a potentially disastrous decision if things go south.
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