Blues forced to use emergency backup tonight in Tampa

The St. Louis Blues announced earlier today that starting goaltender Jordan Binnington has been placed in COVID-19 protocol and that third stringer Charlie Lindgren has been recalled from the AHL. Binnington's usual backup Ville Husso will get the start tonight in Tampa against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

But here's the thing... Lindgren won't join the team until tomorrow meaning that the Blues will be forced to dress an emergency backup goalie (EBUG) to sit on the bench in case of injury. 

This actually happened last night in Toronto when Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper took himself out of the lineup with an illness on gameday. Backup Jonas Johansson got the start but the Avs were forced to dress 22 year old University of Toronto goaltender Jett Alexander and keep him on the bench until AHL call up Justus Annunen arrived midway through the second period to take Alexander's place on the Avs' bench.

The EBUG for the Blues tonight is Kyle Konin a 23 year old former Junior A goaltender who last played during the 2018-19 season with the EHL's Vermont Lumberjacks.

Blues GM Bill Armstrong spoke with Konin earlier today and it sounds like the kid is fired up for tonight's opportunity:

"Craig and I talked to him about 20 minutes ago. Had a good conversation. He had a morning skate today with his beer league guys and he said he was on fire and ready to go, so we're excited to have him in here and he's excited."

- Bill Armstrong

If all things go well of course Konin won't have to see any game time and Husso will play the entirety of the game. But, as we saw with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes back in early 2020... well... anything is possible:

And hey! Don't forget about Chicago Blackhawks EBUG Scott Foster who shut the door on the Winnipeg Jets back in 2018.

Maybe tonight we'll see another legend born!?