ST. LOUIS — Standing in front of his locker after Tuesday’s practice, St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington addressed Jim Montgomery’s decision to pull him in the first period of an eventual 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night.

“It was a quick one,” Binnington said. “Like 10 minutes or so.”

As one can surmise from that comment, Binnington wasn’t backing down from the displeasure he showed on his way to the bench when Mongtomery summoned backup Joel Hofer into the game just 10:24 into the period.

Binnington said Tuesday that his “instinct” was what led him to get animated with the coach. He also broke down the two goals scored against him in detail and sounded as if he thought more could have been done defensively.

But in the end, Binnington acknowledged that hockey is a game that humbles you and said that all is well between him and Montgomery after their conversation Monday night.

“We’re good,” Binnington said. “It’s between us. We’re both competitors, and it’s just what happens. Instincts come out, and we’re all at our best when we’re trusting our instincts. He’s a great coach, so … we’re just moving forward. We’re both men and can handle it.”

The biggest disappointment about the situation, Binnington said, was not being able to help the Blues battle back into the game after Anaheim took a 2-1 advantage.

“You prepare for a game, and you’re going in thinking you’re playing 60 minutes, and as an athlete and competitor, that’s what you want to do,” Binnington said. “I felt good, so it’s unfortunate.”

Asked about his emotional exit from the game, Binnington replied: “I wasn’t happy. That’s who I am as a person, and I’m sure in the big picture, people would respect that. I respect the fire when people want to be out there and want to play.

“I’ve got 50 minutes left of energy and excitement to play, so I let it out a little bit on my way off the ice. You’ve got to live in the moment, and you know that about me. I say that all the time.”

Montgomery joked afterward that the two told each other “I love you” in between periods, and when asked to confirm that, Binnington smiled.

“Well, what happened between us is between us, so there you go,” Binnington said.

The Ducks’ first goal was scored by Mason McTavish from the left wall just 6:33 into the game. McTavish’s shot might’ve clipped defenseman Cam Fowler’s stick and changed the puck’s trajectory, but Fowler said afterward he wasn’t sure. Either way, it was 1-0 Ducks.

🚨 Mac-T 🚨

He snaps that one home! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/q9eC9U7FaQ

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 2, 2025

“Yeah, I haven’t even talked to (Fowler), but there’s traffic flying by, so I didn’t really see the release until it was a couple of feet off his stick,” Binnington said. “Obviously, it looks bad, but that’s goalie, baby. You’ve got to stay with it.”

Teammate Jordan Kyrou tied the score 1-1 just 20 seconds later. But on the first shot Binnington faced since the one from McTavish, Anaheim’s Pavel Mintyukov put another in on him.

🚨 Minty 🚨

What a snipe!
We lead 2-1! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/MRvrrTKLJi

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 2, 2025

“Yeah, I think it’s just that he gets the puck and comes down the lane and he kind of has an open shot with some time and he just beat me clean,” Binnington said. “It’s pretty much how the goal went.”

Montgomery said after the game Monday that if he thinks a goalie “looks off,” he sometimes will factor that into taking him out of the game. But Binnington said he felt fine.

“Yeah, that’s the game,” he said. “Sometimes it goes your way, and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes you feel good and you get scored on, and sometimes you don’t feel good and you don’t get scored on.

“They got two goals, and that’s hockey, and the game always finds a way to keep you humble. It’s all part of it. Whether we won or lost yesterday, I’m coming in and I’m doing the same thing today.”

The Blues held an optional practice Tuesday, and Binnington was one of 10 players on the ice.

“It’s a relentless mindset of coming to work every day with intention and passion and love for the team and this group and trying to build something special every day,” Binnington said. “That’s the mindset for me.”

And the dust-up with Montgomery doesn’t change that mindset.

“I wasn’t worried about it, to be honest,” Binnington said. “Yeah, it was good to clear it up and move forward. But big picture here, we’re focusing on winning hockey games and making a playoff push. This really is just a small fraction of time that we can both move on from, and me personally, just get back to work and keep building my game.

“He’s the coach, and he makes the decisions, and I totally respect that, too.”

Monday’s appearance for Binnington overshadowed what had been a solid stretch for him. In his four previous games, he was 2-0-2 with a .935 save percentage.

“I’m just focusing on what I can control, and that’s my game and that’s working with my coaches and teammates,” Binnington said. “Honestly, I feel good. I feel excited. I have good energy.

“I’m just grateful every day for this opportunity and playing for a great organization and city. I just (keep) reminding myself that this is the way the game goes sometimes and you’ve got to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

It’s not known if Binnington or Hofer will get the start against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, but if it’s Binnington, he said he’ll be ready.

“I understand the process and how things go,” Binnington said. “I think the focus is more just whenever I am back in there, just doing my best and doing what I can to give the team a chance to win.”