NEWARK, NJ – He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues on June 25, 2011 and 14 years later set the record for most wins by a goaltender in franchise history.

Jordan Binnington’s unlikely story – from forgotten goalie to Stanley Cup champion – has always been inspiring, and he added another layer to it with win No. 152 on Wednesday night in New Jersey. And of course, he did it in shutout fashion, defeating the Devils 3-0.

“It’s nice to achieve something like this,” Binnington said. “It’s just about being here long enough to get those wins and build on those wins over time. I’m proud to be here and I’m proud to have so many wins.”

Binnington set the record in the 290th start of his career, surpassing Mike Liut, who had 151 wins in 339 starts for the Blues from 1979 to 1985.

With Binnington recently on the verge of breaking the record, Liut, who has known Binnington since he was 16 and has been his agent for more than a decade, wrote a tribute to him The athlete.

On Wednesday, after Binnington’s milestone win, Liut congratulated him on a video posted to the Blues’ social media account.

“No one deserves this record more than you,” Liut said. “You should be extremely proud of everything you have achieved with the Blues.”

From one legend to the next…

Congratulations to Jordan Binnington for becoming our record winner. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/TgbH1OIiYk

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) November 28, 2024

New Blues coach Jim Montgomery, who played for the organization in the mid-1990s and was also with the team as an assistant coach when Binnington was on the roster, also offered congratulations Wednesday.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment,” Montgomery said. “Jordan Binnington’s career as a Blue has been exceptional. His resume of winning a trophy and how well he plays year after year is a fitting reward for what he has achieved in his career. To be around special athletes who are setting records in this league, to break Mike Liut’s record, is very special.”

Of course, Binnington has what no other Blues goaltender has, which is a Stanley Cup, which he won in 2019.

“I’m happy for him,” said Blues captain Brayden Schenn, who was on that team. “There have been a lot of good Blues goaltenders that have come through the organization and he should be proud of himself. He’s had to prove people wrong throughout his career, and for me to be able to step up and be the backbone of the St. Louis Blues for many years and years to come, I’m just extremely happy for him.”

Another member of that Cup team was in uniform on Wednesday, but on the other side.

Jake Allen is now a goalkeeper for the Devils and was the substitute against the Blues. Allen had 148 wins with the club and was just four shy of tying the record himself before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2020.

“He played great and I’m really happy for him,” Allen said. “He deserves it and he has a lot more to come.” Hopefully he reaches that mark high enough that it takes a while before anyone catches him. Maybe (Joel) Hofer, but hopefully he makes it unattainable.”

Liut urged Binnington to aim for 200 wins, a plateau Allen just reached in his career with the Blues, Canadiens and Devils.

Can he get there?

Binnington, 31, has two seasons remaining on his six-year, $36 million contract after this year.

“Nothing changes,” Binnington said. “Just keep going and find ways to be productive for the team and do your job. Be a good teammate and enjoy the moments.”

The Blues’ win over New Jersey, which improved their record under Montgomery to 2-0, wasn’t all good news.

Forward Pavel Buchnevich left the game early due to a lower body injury. He was coming onto the ice for his shift when the Devils’ Paul Cotter bumped into him and Buchnevich fell to the ground.

He hobbled to the Blues’ locker room without putting any weight on his right leg.

“I don’t have anything yet,” Montgomery said. “He will be re-evaluated and we will have more for you on Friday. Right now I think it’s commonplace, but I have nothing.”

Here’s a look at the piece.

Here is a top view.

After losing center Robert Thomas to a broken ankle and defenseman Philip Broberg to a lower-body injury earlier this season, the Blues were hoping Buchnevich would be fine afterward.

“He is a great asset to our team and plays in all situations. “Hopefully it’s not too serious,” Schenn said. “We feel good about the energy and the way we’re playing right now, hopefully we can get him back soon.”

Broberg himself could be back soon. He had been skating in St. Louis but flew to New York on Sunday to join the team on its three-game road trip. He skated with the club a few times.

“He’s not ready yet,” Montgomery said. “He’s coming there. We started the steps and (Tuesday) was his first day of physical contact. We’ll see how he responds (Wednesday) and then we’ll keep building.”

Broberg skated again on Wednesday, and as he spoke to reporters for the first time since his injury on Nov. 2 when Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner fell on his leg, the defenseman admitted he is making good progress.

“It was definitely not the best feeling and a scary moment,” Broberg said. “But I’m glad it wasn’t too serious. I look forward to finding my way back and getting healthy again.”

The Blues’ next game is Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers at Enterprise Center, which could be a possibility for Broberg’s return, and if not, perhaps on the team’s Western Canada road trip next week.

“I’m looking forward to his comeback,” said Blues forward Dylan Holloway, who was also Broberg’s teammate on the Edmonton Oilers. “He’s doing really well, he’s done a lot of rehab and worked really hard, so I’m happy to see him again.”

(Photo by Jordan Binnington: Elsa/Getty Images)