St. Louis @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 3, 2019 ) Washington 2, St. Louis 5

The St. Louis Blues have used the inspiration of a 25-year-old rookie goalie to climb out of last place in the Central Division and look to notch their fifth win in seven games when they visit the Washington Capitals on Monday night. Jordan Binnington allowed just two goals while winning his first three starts during the current revival for the Blues, including 21 saves in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Dallas.

“His focus, his energy in what he’s doing right now, it’s nice,” St. Louis center Ryan O’Reilly told reporters of Binnington, who has a .941 save percentage in five appearances. “I think it’s kind of contagious. You feed off it - that’s the big thing.” While Binnington’s play has been outstanding, veteran goalie Jake Allen started the 4-2-0 stretch with 23 saves in a 5-2 home victory over Washington on Jan. 3 and it is uncertain which netminder will go Monday with the Blues playing at the New York Islanders on Tuesday. The Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals may have to go with backup goalie Pheonix Copley after No. 1 Braden Holtby left Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to Columbus when he took a stick to his left eye in the second period, but the former Vezina Trophy winner practiced Sunday. Washington was still able to extend its point streak to five games (3-0-2) and coach Todd Reirden told reporters: “It’s an important point. I thought (Columbus) played a very desperate, urgent game. We weren’t on top of our game as well as we have been.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), NBCS Washington, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific

ABOUT THE BLUES (19-20-4): Right wing Vladimir Tarasenko registered his first two-goal performance Saturday since late October and has three to go along with two assists in five January games, telling reporters: “There’s way more goals before I’m relieved.” O’Reilly tops the team with 42 points, including three goals and seven assists over the past nine contests, while fellow forward David Perron boasts a 10-game point streak. Oskar Sundqvist has stepped up to post a goal and three assists in the past two games with fellow forwards Alex Steen (shoulder), Tyler Bozak (concussion) and Robert Thomas (shoulder) out.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (27-12-5): The team has gained plenty of confidence in Copley (10-2-3, .916 save percentage) and Reirden told reporters: “We’re testing him with a lot of stuff this year and he’s again passed with flying colors.” Captain Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (32) and the team in points (50) after scoring twice and setting up two others the last four games while center Nicklas Backstrom (34 assists) was held to one point the last five games. Evgeny Kuznetsov, who scored a career-best 27 times in 2017-18, snapped a 17-game goal drought with his eighth of the season in Saturday’s loss.

OVERTIME

1. Washington D Brooks Orpik is slated to play his 1,000th NHL regular-season game Monday and appeared in his last 296 with the Capitals.

2. St. Louis recalled Fs Jordan Kyrou and Jordan Nolan from the American Hockey League for more depth up front.

3. The Blues snapped a five-game losing streak against the Capitals with the victory earlier this month.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Blues 3