A new week is here. We are officially past the trade deadline, and the last sprint for the Stanley Cup Playoffs has begun. For the St. Louis Blues, it was not just a strong showing at the deadline; they also had success on the ice. Since our last look at the team’s weekly standouts, the Blues have gone 2-0-0, with both wins coming against playoff hopefuls.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Blues’ standouts from the past week.
Standout #3 – Jordan Binnington
The trade deadline came and went, but Jordan Binnington remained a Blue. For how much longer remains to be seen. For now, the best goaltender in franchise history remains wearing the Blue Note.
Binnington’s only start of the week was a reminder of how great the 2019 Stanley Cup champion can be. It has been a rough season for the 32-year-old, but he looked like old-reliable Binnington on Friday. Playing against the playoff hopeful San Jose Sharks, Binnington stopped 23 of 25 shots, giving his team an opportunity to win the game, which they did in overtime. Seeing as the Blues only managed 14 shots on goal, Binnington’s performance was the difference between a win and a loss.
Binnington’s time in St. Louis may be limited, so it is important for fans to enjoy it while they still can. Furthermore, if Binnington can finish the season on a high note, it could help his value should the Blues decide to trade him this summer.
Standout #2 – Logan Mailloux
A Colton Parayko injury last weekend increased Logan Mailloux’s ice time for the week. Following the Justin Faulk trade, Mailloux is now set to receive a consistent increase in ice time.
In Mailloux’s 47 games played this season, he has averaged 14:44 of ice time. In his two games this week, the 22-year-old has seen more and more ice time. On Wednesday, Mailloux recorded 22:52 of ice time and scored a goal. In Friday’s win, Mailloux had 25:03 of ice time.
Mailloux may just be the most interesting Blue to watch as we finish out the season. When the team acquired him over the summer, they knew he would be a project but had significant upside. This final stretch may really show the potential of this young defenseman. Barring an injury, Mailloux should continue to see top-four minutes.
Standout #1 – Robert Thomas
Like Binnington, Robert Thomas’s future with the Blues was uncertain during the deadline. He is still a Blue for now, but trade conversations may resume this summer.
Related: Blues’ Highs and Lows of the Trade Deadline
Thomas had a strong showing this week, returning to the lineup from injury. The 2024 All-Star scored three goals and added two assists in four games this week. His standout performance came on Friday, when he scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
Thomas’s future with the Blues is interesting. He can be someone the organization chooses to keep and could even be a candidate to be the next captain. At the same time, if the right offer presents itself, the Blues may choose to part with the 80-plus point player. Thomas’s performance this week is a reminder that he can be a major difference maker in a game. At 26 years old, he is just now entering the prime of his career on a contract that only looks better as the cap increases.
The Week Ahead
The Blues start the new week with a Sunday night game against the Anaheim Ducks. The team then returns home to play the New York Islanders, which means Brayden Schenn will make his return to St. Louis quickly after the trade. The former captain is definitely in store for quite the ovation.
Check back in next weekend to see which Blues stood out over the course of this week! Make your own picks and see if we match!
