Blues not focused on Kadri ahead of Game 4: 'Here to win the series'
The St. Louis Blues are moving past the hoopla caused by Nazem Kadri's collision with goaltender Jordan Binnington in Game 3 as they gear up to resume the second-round series Monday.
"We're here to win the series. That's what it boils down to," forward Brayden Schenn said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "You don't focus on just him. Going out there and winning a hockey game, that's all you can really control."
The Avalanche forward knocked Binnington out of the series with an unpenalized collision in the first period of Colorado's Game 3 win. In the dramatic aftermath, Kadri claimed Binnington threw a water bottle at him while he was in a postgame interview, and Blues head coach Craig Berube hinted Kadri hurt the goalie on purpose based on his track record of playoff suspensions.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league is working with St. Louis police ahead of Game 4 to enhance security protocols after threats were allegedly made toward Kadri, per TSN's Darren Dreger.
Binnington put together a brilliant start to the playoffs before the injury, posting a 4-1 record with a .949 save percentage.
"It's a tough loss. We're not going to sugarcoat," said blue-liner Robert Bortuzzo. "But we're not going to misplace our energy here. We're trying to win the series."
The Blues will rely on Ville Husso between the pipes from here on out. The 27-year-old posted better numbers than Binnington in the regular season but has allowed at least four goals in three of four appearances in these playoffs.
Puck drop for Game 4 is at 9:30 p.m. ET in St. Louis as the Blues look to even the series.