Blues player of the game vs. Kings: Jordan Binnington

Blues player of the game vs. Kings: Jordan Binnington (1:47)

So the veteran forward had no impressions one way or the other.

He has many now, and they're all through the roof positive after another masterclass performance with 40 saves.

According to moneypuck.com, Binnington had a xGoals-Against of 3.408, but his Goals Saved Above Expected was 2.41. He is now sixth in the league at 13.8 for goalies that have played 40-plus games, and everyone above him (Connor Hellebuyck (29.4), Winnipeg Jets; Thatcher Demko (20.4), Vancouver Canucks; Sergei Bobrovsky (18.8), Florida Panthers; Igor Shesterkin (16.5), New York Rangers; and Jacob Markstrom (16.1), Calgary Flames) are all playoff teams except for Markstrom.

"Yeah it comes with the position. It's a privilege and an honor to be in that position," said Binnington, who has a 2.35 goals-against average and .928 save percentage since Jan. 1. "Like I keep saying, I'm enjoying these moments and able to be present and focused on the here and now."

It was another game where those watching could tell Binnington was locked in; he was swallowing up pucks without giving up high-percentage rebounds and when he did, they were whisked out of danger. His poke-check game was on par, particularly one in which he thwarted Adrian Kempe in the dying seconds of the second period protecting a 2-0 lead, and in the third period came the cream of the crop plays.

Binnington had consecutive saves on Mikey Anderson at 10:56 off a one-timer from the right circle, then with his stick lost, he someone got a mask on Drew Doughty's chance from the slot at 11:01.

"I don't know. Just sometimes, you don't even think, right," Binnington said. "You're just kind of reacting. That was kind of a free-for-all moment. That's the old road-hockey, mini-stick goalie coming out of you.

"... Anything goes. It's fun when you're out there with the group. Everyone is diving around, trying to find a way to keep the puck out. Those are fun moments."

Especially when the Blues (34-29-3) are winning, and their goaltending, whether it be Binnington or Joel Hofer, are providing the backbone play behind the team.

"Since I've come here, the goaltending, whether it's been 'Binner' or Joel, have been outstanding for us," Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said. "They give us an opportunity to win, they keep games tight. 

"The feeling on the bench is there's a lot of confidence in our goalies. If we do make mistakes, they're there to clean up some of the mess. We just have to minimize what happens after the first mistake."

As for Hayes, he's learned one important trait about Binnington this season.

"He's been amazing all year," Hayes said. "I've said this a bunch this year, he's the most surprising as a new guy to this team, the most surprising guy in my mind how hard he works, how good he is, how good he is in practice and just how he goes about his every day life.

"It's huge. It's every night. He's been our best player all year. We were struggling to score goals for a bit and he kept us in every game. He pretty much keeps us in every game every night."

And keeping the Blues in the playoff race.