The St. Louis Blues dropped their home matchup against the Boston Bruins and now head out for a quick road stop in Nashville before returning for a four-game homestand. As they try to regain their footing in a tightly packed Western Conference Wild Card race, one storyline continues to define December in St. Louis: the annual struggle between the pipes.
While the Blues sit at 29 points through 31 games, and notably just two points out of a Wild Card spot, their goaltending has been a major factor in both keeping them afloat and dragging them down. Historically, December has not been kind to starting goalie Jordan Binnington, but what about Joel Hofer?
Jordan Binnington: December Struggles Persist
Binnington’s recent stretch is once again trending in the wrong direction, particularly in December.
2025–26 Season
- 20 GP (18 starts)
- 7–7–5 record
- 413 saves on 472 shots
- .875 SV% | 3.29 GAA
- In December: 1–2–0, stopping 48/58 shots for a .828 SV%
Binnington has consistently posted some of his worst month-to-month numbers in December throughout his career. On average, his typical December save percentage has hovered in the .890–.900 range, with elevated goals-against averages and a tendency toward short losing streaks.
This year’s .828 SV% is below his already-poor December norm.For a Blues team that depends heavily on Binnington’s emotional energy and streaky play, his December downturn is something they’ve battled through year after year—and right now, the trend is repeating itself.
Joel Hofer: A Different December Story
Hofer has been steadier than Binnington this season, and that continues in December, where his historical splits have statistically suggested this should be his strongest month.
2025–26 Season
- 15 GP (13 starts)
- 4–6–2 record
- 343 saves on 385 shots
- .891 SV% | 3.18 GAA
- In December: 2–1–1, stopping 86/92 shots for a .935 SV%
Unlike Binnington, Hofer’s early-career numbers in December have traditionally been stronger than his other months. His career December save percentage before this season has generally landed in the .910–.920 range, making it one of his most consistent stretches.
hello, 911? we'd like to report a robbery. pic.twitter.com/HH0giCuyoU
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 10, 2025
This year, his .935 SV% in the month continues that upward trajectory and stands in stark contrast to Binnington’s deep slump. Hofer looks composed, efficient, and calm in the crease, traits that tend to flourish for him during this point in the schedule.
The Wild Card Pressure Cooker
The Western Conference Wild Card race is chaotic, and every point matters:
- EDM: 32 pts (30 GP)
- UTA: 31 pts (31 GP)
- SJ: 31 pts (31 GP)
- CHI: 30 pts (29 GP)
- WPG: 29 pts (29 GP)
- STL: 29 pts (31 GP)
- SEA: 28 pts (27 GP)
- CGY: 28 pts (31 GP)
The Blues are still in the mix, but with more games played than many of the teams they’re fighting with, continued shakiness in net could start to cost meaningful ground.
St. Louis heads to Nashville next before returning for a key four-game homestand—arguably one of their most important stretches of their season so far. One of their biggest questions, unfortunately, is whether the goaltending can stabilize and help keep their team in games long enough to steal two points on a consistent basis.
To this point, the split is clear: Hofer is trending upward and historically performs well in December while Binnington is continuing a troubling pattern of December regression.
Whether Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery begins leaning more heavily on the hotter hand may determine whether the Blues can stay above water in the Wild Card race.
If the Blues want to climb, it starts in the crease—and it needs to start now.