Binnington edged Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Andreas Johnsson (9-5-14 in 14 GP), Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (3-8-11 in 14 GP) and Chicago Blackhawks center Dominik Kahun (3-7-10 in 13 GP) for the honor.
Binnington became the ninth rookie goaltender in NHL history to earn 10-plus wins in a calendar month - and the first to achieve the feat since Detroit's Jimmy Howard in March 2010 (12-2-1). He also became the 10th rookie netminder in League history to post a nine-game winning streak (Jan. 23 - Feb. 19) as well as the fourth to win each of his first seven home starts (Jan. 10 - present), joining Frank McCool (8), Ken Dryden (8) and Wayne Thomas (7).
Binnington yielded two or fewer goals in nine of his 11 February outings, including four shutouts and consecutive clean sheets Feb. 14 at ARI (21 SV) and Feb. 17 at MIN (31 SV). Binnington capped the month with another shutout (Feb. 26 vs. NSH: 19 SV), making him the second goaltender in the NHL's modern era (since 1943-44) with five through his first 18 career starts (also Jacques Plante).
A third-round selection (87th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft who did not make his first NHL start until Jan. 7 of this year, Binnington owns a 15-2-1 record, 1.61 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and five shutouts through 20 appearances this season. Only four other goaltenders in League history have won as many games through their first 18 career starts: Andrew Hammond (16), Bob Froese (15), Patrick Lalime (15) and Brent Johnson (15).
Binnington joins Pettersson (October and December), Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (November) and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (January) as a Rookie of the Month winner in 2018-19.
