Welcome to Top-Shelf Takes, a weekly series from staff writer Mary Clarke all about the NHL. Lace up your skates as we dive deep into the epic highs and lows of this little sport called hockey.
The best pests in the NHL are good at getting under their opponents skin while staying unbothered themselves. Think Brad Marchand, love him or hate him. Jordan Binnington, on the other hand, is a petulant child playing hockey.
Over the weekend, Binnington once again became the narrative of the hockey world thanks to yet another incident involving his well-documented short fuse. During the St. Louis Blues Saturday matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Binnington gloved Jason Zucker in the face as the winger was chasing a puck behind the net in the dying seconds of the first period.
The move was a completely unnecessary one, given the routine nature of Zucker’s route, and one that caused play to be halted as the Penguins winger lay crumpled in a heap on the ice.
Jordan Binnington just hit Jason Zucker in the face as he was skating around the net?!#LetsGoPens #STLBlues pic.twitter.com/KnPSo5Ptgt
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) December 4, 2022
Binnington back at it tonight. Sticks his arm out and drops Jason Zucker pic.twitter.com/FsebSrXcvF
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) December 4, 2022
Then early in the second period, when Binnington was being pulled after allowing four goals on 17 shots, the Blues goaltender was given a 10-minute misconduct for “inciting” as he had words for the Penguins bench while leaving the ice.
Jason Zucker's reaction to Binnington 😂 pic.twitter.com/1U5JIkKdgf
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) December 4, 2022
This incident is just the latest in a long list of tantrums Binnington has thrown over the years since 2018-19. Without fail, when Binnington has a poor game or things don’t go his way, he lashes out physically against his opponents in a meltdown of epic proportions. That all came to a head in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Binnington tossed a water bottle at Nazem Kadri during a postgame interview after the goaltender left due to an injury sustained when colliding with the forward.
So far, the NHL has tolerated Binnington’s childish outbursts with no external punishments. Even the water bottle toss didn’t warrant a fine or a suspension from the powers on high. But it’s clear by now that in-game penalties aren’t going to stop Binnington from taking out his frustrations physically on his opponents, since he’s continued to do so for years.
That being said, Binnington’s antics are starting to wear thin on his head coach, Craig Berube, who had this to say after the Blues 6-2 weekend loss to the Penguins.
“It’s got to stop. It doesn’t help anything,” Berube said. “Just play goal, stop the puck.”
Look, I could understand Binnington’s actions here a bit if he was actually an elite goaltender. Tom Brady throws fits on the sidelines all the time, but the dude is the undisputed football GOAT with seven Super Bowl wins. Binnington has a Stanley Cup, yes, but in the years since he’s posted a .906 save percentage and has been remarkably mediocre.
The NHL needs to be finished with tolerating Binnington’s actions from now on. Binnington’s petulance has gone on for far too long and he’s only going to keep embarrassing the league — or maybe even hurt someone — if he continues to act out like this.
Three stars
3. Golden Knights finally take down Bruins at home
After 14 straight wins at home to start the 2022-23 season, the Bruins finally have lost at home at the hands of the Golden Knights. It was an impressive streak that was, of course, broken thanks to the widely-loved shootout.
For the first time this season, the Boston Bruins have lost a game on home ice. 😱 pic.twitter.com/bmcmgszMgo
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 6, 2022
2. Claude Giroux dazzles with unorthodox slapshot goal
Giroux is no stranger to slapshot shootout goals, but what about a slapshot breakaway goal?
Plain and simple this goal by @28CGiroux goes HARD! 🚨#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/wUHu22Fqem
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 4, 2022
Yeah, that’s awesome.
1. Mitch Marner’s historic run lifts Maple Leafs
I talked a lot about Jason Robertson in my December power rankings so it’s time to give Marner his due. Over the weekend, Marner broke the Maple Leafs record after recording a point in 19 straight games, posting 26 points in that time span. For a player that’s been as maligned as Marner has been by fans and media during his Maple Leafs career, what a wonderful feel-good moment here.
Overachiever of the week
Nashville Predators
Yes, a 7-2-1 stretch to climb back in the wild card bubble isn’t enough to convince me the Predators are good. Nashville had some real gutsy wins over the last week against the Devils and Islanders, but their long-term sustainability leaves a lot to be desired. Juuse Saros has been better as of late, but overall has been a below-average netminder when he’s needed to be his Vezina-nomiated self from last year.
The real kicker for the Predators is their offense, which sits fourth-worst in the league in overall goals (61) with no one on the team hitting double digits in the figure yet this year. A great last 10 games, to be sure, but this Predators team is prime for a fall back to earth.
What to watch
Flames vs. Wild – Wednesday, December 7
This is a matchup between two Western Conference teams many thought would be better but are instead fighting for their playoff lives. Expect a playoff-like atmosphere here as the Flames and Wild continue to battle for every point in the standings.
Devils vs. Islanders – Friday, December 9
The Devils and Islanders are two of the Metropolitan Division’s best, which is still wild to think about coming off of last year. Lots of young talent in this one between Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Mathew Barzal.
Lightning vs. Panthers – Saturday, December 10
The Florida rivalry hasn’t been nearly as fun this year considering the Panthers have been bad, but this is still a game to look forward to given the bad blood between these two teams.
Quick hits
- Bruce Cassidy returning to his old stomping grounds in Boston and receiving a wonderful ovation from fans will give you all the feels.
Choked up Bruce Cassidy after the video tribute and ovation from the fans. He loved coaching the Boston Bruins. Never wanted to leave. Good stuff pic.twitter.com/5gzHiwuRoT
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 6, 2022
- If you haven’t already, definitely follow this Twitter account of hockey players falling over because it will bring so much joy to your life.
— hockey players falling over (@fallinghockey) December 6, 2022
