Buchnevich set new career-highs in goals (21) and points-per-game (0.59) in 2019 while appearing in 64 games with the Rangers. Buchnevich has been a breakout candidate for the last two seasons, but 2020 looks like his best chance yet. As long as Buchnevich can remain in the Rangers’ to-6, the additions of Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko should give Buchneviche plenty of talent to work with.
Thomas suffered the injury during Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals but appeared in two games in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blues announced that Thomas will rehab the injury throughout the offseason and will undergo a full evaluation ahead of training camp.
Thomas has been out since Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals but is set to return in a potential Stanley Cup clinching Game 6 in St. Louis. Thomas, who has six points (1G / 5A) in the postseason, will replace Ivan Barbashev who was suspended for a hit to the head on Marcus Johansson in Game 5.
Binnington was pulled for the first time in his NHL career in the Blues Game 3 loss to the Bruins. Binnington allowed five goals on 19 shots before being replaced by Jake Allen. Binnington has been tremendous at bouncing back after a loss in the playoffs, going 5-2 with 1.84 GAA and .947 SV%.
Thomas was crushed by Bruins defenseman Torey Krug late in Game 1 and will not play in Game 2. Head coach Craig Berube said that his absence is not related to that hit, but he will be replaced by Robby Fabbri regardless of what is taking him out of the lineup. This will be Fabbri’s first game since May 3rd, when he appeared in Game 5 vs. the Stars.
Thomas has sat out the last few practices, including Monday’s morning skate, but will play in Game 1 in Boston. Thomas has performed well during the postseason, scoring one goal with five assists (six points) in 19 games.
Binnington stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Blues 5-1 win over the Sharks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Binnington had a .912 SV% in the series and has posted a .914 SV% across the postseason. The Blues will start the Finals on the road, where Binnington has gone 7-2 with a 2.36 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout in the playoffs.
Binnington allowed five goals on 24 shots in the Blues 6-3 loss to the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Following a loss, Binnington has gone 3-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV%, so look for him to have a strong performance in Game 2.
Binnington allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Blues 4-1 win in Dallas in Game 6. Overall, Binnington has been better in round two than he was vs. the Jets, posting a .914 SV% through six games. The 25-year-old has gone 2-3-1 while allowing a combined 17 goals on 178 shots (.905 SV%) in six games the Enterprise Center during the postseason.
Binnington allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Blues 4-2 loss in Dallas in Game 4. The series now becomes a best-of-3 and the Blues are going to need more out of Binnington in Game 5. After a strong start to the series, Binnington has allowed a combined 10 goals on 96 shots (.896 SV%) in the last three games. On home-ice in the playoffs, Binnington is 2-2-1 while stopping 136 of 151 shots (.901 SV%).
Binnington allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Blues come from behind a 3-2 win in Winnipeg in Game 5. After a tough Game 3, Binnington has played well in the last two games, stopping 66 of the 70 shots (.943 SV%) that he faced. The 25-year-old continues to show that the regular season was no fluke and will look to close-out the Jets tonight on home-ice.
