Binnington, Sanford lift Blues in shutout against Flames

ST. LOUIS --Jordan Binnington made 40 saves, and Zach Sanford had the first four-point game of his NHL career for the St. Louis Blues in a 5-0 win against the Calgary Flames at Enterprise Center on Thursday.

Sanford had a goal and three assists, Oskar Sundqvist scored twice, and Robert Thomas had three assists for the Blues (14-4-5), who won for the ninth time in 12 games (9-1-2).
"I think everyone did a great job today," Blues defenseman Vince Dunn said. "Obviously, Binnington] was unreal. Was it 40 shots or whatever? Our forwards not only found a way to not only get some highlight goals, but some dirty goals that we've talked about. It's all about competing right now. I think when we're playing our best defense, our offensive chances come then."
***[WATCH: [All Flames vs. Blues highlights]*
It was the first shutout of the season for Binnington and his sixth in the NHL.
"It's a pretty smooth night," Binnington said. "Sometimes games are going to go like that, sometimes they're not. You've got to stay composed."
David Rittich made 26 saves for the Flames (10-12-3), who are winless in their past six games (0-5-1) and have been outscored 23-5 in that span. Calgary, which was shut out for the third time in four games, held a players-only meeting after the game.
"Just a lot of honesty between guys," Flames captain Mark Giordano said. "We all love each other in here. But at the end of the day, sometimes you have to be honest with the guys you're closest to."
The Flames have been shut out in three straight road games for the first time in their history and have not held a lead during the entire winless streak (362:46).
"Not fun," Calgary forward Johnny Gaudreau said. "It's a bit difficult to go through. It [stinks]."
Sanford's one-timer from the left face-off circle gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at 12:07 of the first period. It was his first goal in 11 games and was the eighth straight game the Flames allowed the first goal.

Sundqvist made it 2-0 on a breakaway at 6:23 of the second period, and David Perron made it 3-0 with a power-play goal on a one-timer from the left circle at 9:42.
Sundqvist scored his second of the game at 2:31 of the third period to give the Blues a 4-0 lead. He was alone in front, and Sanford found him from behind the net.
"They were really good with the production they got," Blues coach Craig Berube said of Sanford, Thomas and Sundqvist, who combined for nine points. "They made some nice plays and scored some nice goals."

Dunn scored at 9:18 of the third to make it 5-0 on a backhand pass from Thomas.
"It was good to see the new line combinations connecting, Sanford have a big night, Thomas, Sundqvist, and (Robert) Bortuzzo was great again, I've got to go thank him," Binnington said. "It was good to see, get back to work tomorrow. We've still got one home game here (Saturday)."

They said it

"We know we have to be better collectively as a group. Right now, we have a lot of guys that are trying to be the guy who's going to change the tide and change the momentum. We just need to know it doesn't work that way." -- Flames captain Mark Giordano
"We were frustrated obviously and you can see that and you can tell by the fact the guys had a little meeting after the game that you're well aware of. Frustration would be the right word. We've got to stay together and work our way through it." -- Flames coach Bill Peters
"He's doing almost everything out there. We're trying to get him the puck to carry it up and me and Sanford are trying to create some space and get open. You saw he's a really good passer and he showed that tonight. Just try to get open and he will find you." -- Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist on Robert Thomas

Need to know

The 40 saves by Binnington tied his NHL career high (March 16, 2019, Pittsburgh Penguins). ... Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane left the game in the second period after a hit by Dunn. ... Sundqvist, Sanford and Thomas each was plus-4.

What's next

Flames: At the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; ESPN+, NBCSP, SNW, NHL.TV)
Blues: Host the Nashville Predators on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, FS-MW, FS-TN, NHL.TV)