Jordan Binnington made 31 saves and became the St. Louis Blues’ all-time victories leader during a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night in Newark, N.J.
Binnington earned his 152nd victory to pass Mike Liut for the franchise lead. He earned his first shutout of the season and the 16th of his career.
Dylan Holloway scored twice in the first period for the Blues, who have won their first two games under new coach Jim Montgomery.
Robert Thomas also scored and Pavel Buchnevich earned an assist before exiting the game in the second period with a lower-body injury.
Jacob Markstrom made 17 saves as the Devils’ three-game winning streak ended.
The Blues held the Devils without a shot for nearly the first 12 minutes while rolling toward a 3-0 first-period lead.
Thomas got behind the Devils on a two-on-one opportunity. Buchnevich made a cross-ice pass and Thomas scored nine seconds in with a one-time shot from the left circle.
Holloway created the second St. Louis goal with persistent forechecking behind the New Jersey net. He got the puck to Brandon Saad, then took a return pass and scored stepping out from the right corner at 6:23.
The Blues made it 3-0 at 16:05 in the first period. Colton Parayko shot from the left point and created a goalmouth scramble. Jake Neighbours and Holloway crashed the net and Holloway banged in the rebound.
New Jersey was dangerous with the man advantage late in the period, but Jack Hughes hit the left post with a shot.
The Blues killed another penalty opening the second period, but the Devils gained momentum with puck possession. They outshot the Blues 11-1 in the period but couldn’t solve Binnington.
Their best chance came when Dawson Mercer’s shot hit the right post.
The Blues got two third-period power plays. They didn’t score, but their puck possession helped them close out the game.
–Field Level Media
