Blues staying confident ahead of Game 4 with ‘unflappable’ Husso

The switch from Jordan Binnington to Ville Husso in goal for the rest of their Second Round series (and possibly beyond) shouldn’t affect the St. Louis Blues like it might other teams.

Husso’s teammates are very familiar with his work in net after he started 38 regular-season games and the first three games of their First Round series against the Minnesota Wild. They know him, he knows them. Now they have work to do in evening up their Second Round series with the Colorado Avalanche.

“He’s ready to go,” said Blues head coach Craig Berube. “He’s done a great job this year of developing himself throughout the season with [goaltending coach] Davey Alexander. And he’s become a better goalie over the season.”

Husso did a lot of watching at the beginning of the 2021-22 season, starting just four of St. Louis’ opening 21 games. But he slowly worked his way into a rotation and then grabbed the No. 1 reins in January. The Blues won 10 of his first 11 starts once the calendar turned to 2022 and he took majority of the starts towards the end of the regular season.

The 27-year-old Husso posted a .926 save percentage at 5-on-5, per Natural Stat Trick, in 40 regular-season games along with a 6.09 goals saved above average. That helped him get the start for the Wild series. But after posting a shutout in Game 1 against the Wild, he allowed nine goals in the next two games and lost the starting job to Binnington.

Now after Nazem Kadri’s collision with Binnington that’s put the netminder out for the series, it’s Husso’s net once again.

“He’s just a kid who seems pretty unflappable,” said Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo. “He’s got great energy in the room. Just a true character who plays with a lot of passion and I’m sure he’s champing