Things will change quickly for Jordan Binnington and Colton Parayko.
After the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night in Boston, the two Blues representing Canada will have little time to adjust back to their lives in St. Louis, hoping to spur a playoff push. The Blues will jump right back into their schedule with a back-to-back over the weekend against the Jets on Saturday and the Avalanche on Sunday.
That means three games in four nights for Parayko. With Binnington expected to split the back-to-back with Joel Hofer, it will still mean three starts in a week for Binnington.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery understands the situation his two players will be in, and the team will look for opportunities to rest them. Just don't expect it to be in games.
"We're definitely going to have to give them more rest," Montgomery said. "They're going to have to play games for us, we know that. If we're coming in, maybe we tell them to stay home a couple of days so that they can regenerate their batteries."
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Binnington and Parayko are two of five Blues representatives with Team Canada, as general manager Doug Armstrong is part of the management team and goaltending coach David Alexander and video coordinator Elliott Mondou are on the coaching staff.
Binnington started all three games for Canada entering Thursday's championship game against the United States, posting a .892 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average.
Parayko did not have a point in round-robin play against Sweden, the U.S. and Finland. He averaged 19:39 of ice time per game on the Canadian blue line.
"Not only have they not had the break that they all had, but they're playing real intense (games)," Montgomery said. "The game (Thursday) is going to be emotional. It's going to be physically and mentally draining. They need a break from that."
Binnington and Parayko are playing with and against players they will see over the weekend. Connor Hellebuyck (U.S.), Kyle Connor (U.S.) and Josh Morrissey (Canada) will play for Winnipeg on Saturday. Nathan MacKinnon (Canada) and Cale Makar (Canada) will be with Colorado when it visits on Sunday.
In the last 26 games of the regular season, the Blues will be relying heavily on both Parayko and Binnington.
Parayko has anchored the team's top pairing all season and averages 24:13 of ice time a night in St. Louis, about a minute and a half more than his next-closest teammate. His 12 goals and 29 points lead all Blues defensemen, and seven more points will establish a new career high for Parayko.
"He's going to play both games (this weekend), and he's going to play 24 minutes," Montgomery said. "He's a physical specimen, and he takes care of himself so well and he loves to compete. Thankfully, he's only averaging (19½) minutes there."
Binnington figures to start Sunday against the Avalanche, as a Hofer start Saturday would allow an extra day of rest. The Blues have five sets of back-to-backs the rest of the season.
The rooting interest inside the Blues' dressing room favored the Canadians, as there are only four Americans on the active roster: Justin Faulk, Ryan Suter, Nick Leddy and Cam Fowler.
Montgomery himself is Canadian but made it clear his pick had to do with his relationships.
"I pick with people," Montgomery said. "I've got five people I work with that are there. It's an easy one. ... Hopefully, they come back victorious and bring that winning culture right here into our locker room. Spread it around."
- The Blues did not practice Thursday and will return to the ice on Friday morning at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
