Hidden Game: Canadiens can't solve Jordan Binnington and get shut out in St. Louis

In honour of the Hidden Game, we’d like to salute your Montreal Canadiens and the hidden game they produced Saturday afternoon against the St. Louis Blues — a team that should have been vulnerable — while losing 2-0 at the Enterprise Center.

The Blues played 25 hours earlier, at home, defeating Vegas 4-3, while your Canadiens had the day off and conducted an optional practice. The Blues entered this game with an NHL-worst minus-41 goal differential. And while St. Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington was named to Team Canada for the coming Winter Olympics, he had allowed three or more goals in seven of his last nine starts. Indeed, Binnington had won only one of his last seven — making his addition to the squad even more curious. But we digress.

Strange, but true (Part I): Binnington’s last shutout came a year to the day earlier against Ottawa.

Strange, but true (Part II): The Canadiens scored 20 goals in their last four games.

Look at the bright side (Part I): Montreal still has a respectable 3-1-2 record on this season-long, seven-game road trip that concludes Sunday afternoon at Dallas. On the other hand, the Stars were idle Saturday and will be well-rested.

Look at the bright side (Part II): The Canadiens have a 12-6-0 record against teams in the Western Conference. Montreal also is 12-4-5 on the road and has earned at least a point in 17 of 21 away contests.

Look at the bright side (Part III): The Canadiens reached the midway point of their regular-season schedule with a 22-13-6 record. At this point last season, Montreal was 20-18-3 following a three-game winning streak. That’s called progress.

On the other hand: The Canadiens were blitzed 7-0 at home on Nov. 13, the last time they played Dallas.

They must have been in a rush to get to the Big-D: Saturday’s game was played in a tidy two hours and 28 minutes. There was no scoring in the third period. No penalties were assessed during that 20 minutes, either.

Our cheap shot of the night: Every time we heard the name of St. Louis rookie Jimmy Snuggerud, all we could think about was Sesame Street character Mr. Snuffleupagus.

News you need (Part I): The Canadiens haven’t won in St. Louis since 2022. Indeed, the Blues have won eight of their last 10 homes games against Montreal.

It was going to be that kind of a game (Part I): How might this affair have changed had Brendan Gallagher not hit the post in the second minute? He dinged one off the iron again in the third period.

News you need (Part II): The Canadiens didn’t produce their first shot until 5:40 — by Noah Dobson.

News you need (Part III): The Canadiens didn’t get their second shot until 12:50 — by Cole Caufield.

Who said he can’t play defence (Part I): Midway through the first period, Lane Hutson broke up a two-on-one break orchestrated by Robert Thomas.

This is why goals are scored: Zachary Bolduc, in his return to St. Louis, sent an errant cross-ice pass to Jayden Struble. It never found Struble’s stick, creating a turnover, resulting in the opening goal by Jonatan Berggren.

News you need (Part IV): This was Berggren’s eighth game with the Blues since being claimed on waivers from Detroit. He has three goals and five points with his new team.

It was going to be that kind of a game (Part II): Just before the first period ended, Hutson had a good scoring opportunity from the point — and Gallagher failed to convert the rebound.

Stat of the period: Gallagher had four of the Canadiens’ eight shots following 20 minutes.

Lesson learned: The Canadiens started the second period much better; Nick Suzuki getting the first shot after only 16 seconds.

Lesson forgotten: Montreal didn’t get another shot until 8:50. Predictably, it came from Gallagher.

Who said he can’t play defence (Part II): Hutson’s turnover resulted in the Blues’ second goal, by Thomas, midway through the second period. It was scored while St. Louis was — sigh — shorthanded.

News you need (Part V): Thomas is now on a five-game point streak against the Canadiens.

Next time, decline the penalty: If allowing a short-handed goal wasn’t bad enough, the Canadiens went 0-for-4 on the power play, which included a two-man advantage for 1:37 in the second period.

It could have been worse: Blues captain Brayden Schenn hit the post in the opening minute of the third period.

Hit of the night: Arber Xhekaj on Otto Stenberg in the third period.

News you need (Part VI): This marked the second time this season the Canadiens have been shut out.

News you need (Part VII): The Canadiens are now 0-1 without Josh Anderson in the lineup.

Quick stats: Gallagher led all Montreal players with six shots but he also was a minus-2. Caufield had four shots. Dobson played 27:23 and had three shots. Hutson played 28:03, had two shots and three blocks. Mike Matheson, in his return, blocked three shots, but also was guilty of three giveaways. Xhekaj had two hits despite playing only 7:53. Owen Beck returned in Anderson’s absence, but was limited to 8:02. Jacob Fowler’s save percentage was .895. The Canadiens won 56.1 per cent of their faceoffs and were outhit 16-15.

They said it: “I thought our execution was poor to start the game,” Suzuki told the media in St. Louis. “We weren’t able to capitalize on our offensive chances. That’s a big reason (why) we lost. I thought (Binnington) made some key saves for them that would have given us some momentum. Five-on-three, if we get one there, it puts us in a lot better spot.”

“Execution wasn’t there,” Juraj Slafkovsky said. “We should have scored on the power play — that’s for sure. It’s a little frustrating because we have all the weapons here to score a lot of goals. We had a good stretch, but it didn’t go in today. Good thing we play (Sunday).”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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