Regardless of failing to make the 2024 playoffs, the St. Louis Blues obtained elite goaltending from their netminders within the 2023-24 season. Led by Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer, the workforce allowed simply 248 targets, the fifteenth fewest within the NHL, regardless of dealing with 273.42 anticipated targets, the fifth most within the NHL, in response to MoneyPuck. With the 2024-25 season quickly to start, the Blues should obtain elite goaltending in the event that they hope to earn a spot within the 2025 Playoffs.
Jordan Binnington
Binnington was probably the greatest goaltenders within the NHL final season. Within the three seasons main as much as final season, he posted a .901 save share (SV%), 3.07 targets towards common (GAA), and -19.52 targets saved above anticipated (GSAx). Then within the 2023-24 season, he had a .913 SV%, 2.84 GAA, and 16.5 GSAx. And, it’s not just like the defensive play in entrance of him improved, as he confronted shut to three.03 anticipated targets towards per sport, on par along with his profession common.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Binnington posted a .835 excessive hazard SV%, rating within the 93rd percentile leaguewide, in response to NHL Edge. Whereas Blues defenseman Torey Krug will miss all the 2024-25 season with an damage, Binnington ought to face a barely lesser workload with the addition of Philip Broberg and hopeful bouncebacks of Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk.
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Even along with his dominant 2023-24 season, Binnington is more likely to regress, however not by a lot. His SV% ought to are available barely beneath his .913 SV% final season but nonetheless above his profession common of .908 SV%, doubtless round .910. His 2.84 GAA final season was 5 factors above his profession common of two.79 GAA, so one would anticipate him to enhance, doubtless touchdown round a 2.75 GAA.
GSAx is a statistic that varies by supply. MoneyPuck had Binnington at a 16.5 GSAx final season, whereas Evolving Hockey had him at a 29.74 GSAx, and Pure Stat Trick had him at a 22.74 GSAx. Persevering with to make use of MoneyPuck’s formulation, he’s hopeful to hover across the 10 to 14 GSAx, doubtless touchdown at round 12 GSAx.
With the Blues hopeful to push for a playoff spot, Binnington ought to preserve his workload so long as he continues his sturdy play. After posting 55 begins, the second-highest of his profession, final season, he’s more likely to stay near that quantity. In these 55 video games, going 29-22-4 looks as if a good guess. As properly, after securing simply three shutouts (SO) final season, he ought to enhance, doubtless touchdown round 4 or 5.
Closing Prediction for Binnington: 29-22-4, .910 SV%, 2.75 GAA, 12 GSAx (MoneyPuck), 4 SO
Joel Hofer
24-year-old Hofer is probably not the beginning goaltender, however he ought to play a vital half within the Blues’ success this season. He made his NHL debut within the 2021-22 season however lastly broke by way of right into a everlasting position within the NHL final season, going 15-12-1 with a 2.65 GAA, .914 SV%, and 10.3 GSAx, per MoneyPuck.
Hofer has what it takes to steal the beginning job from Binnington, however that’s unlikely to happen this season. He’s 6-foot-5, assured within the crease, and limits rebounds. As a younger goaltender on a retooling workforce, he is a superb piece for the Blues to have, however his time is but to come back.
With Binnington beginning 55 video games, Hofer ought to get the opposite 27. In his restricted alternatives, his GAA could barely improve, doubtless round 2.85, along with his SV% additionally barely reducing to round a .910 SV%, similar to Binnington. This isn’t to say Hofer will regress, however he’s more likely to face harder competitors when taking part in, that means his numbers could not replicate his growth.
Hofer’s 10.3 GSAx final season was the Seventeenth-highest within the NHL, a little bit of an outlier. Assuming he will get alternatives towards premier groups, there will probably be some tough outings, so his GSAx is more likely to decrease to between a 4 to six GSAx. After posting one shutout in 30 video games final season, he’s more likely to hover round that quantity once more.
Closing Prediction for Hofer: 9-14-4, .910 SV%, 2.85 GAA, 5 GSAx (MoneyPuck), 1 SO
The Blues have probably the greatest goaltending tandems within the NHL. Collectively, Binnington and Hofer single-handedly stored the workforce within the playoff dialog for almost all of final season, and whereas the 2 are more likely to regress from their sturdy campaigns, they need to stay as a powerful duo.
