As the Edmonton Oilers defeat the St. Louis Blues in a playoff-style game, Jordan Binnington and Corey Perry become entangled.

The Edmonton Oilers’ victory over the St. Louis Blues on the evening of April 9th, 2025, wasn’t just another regular-season win—it was a statement. With the playoffs on the horizon, both teams played with the intensity and urgency typically reserved for the postseason. For the Oilers, this game carried added weight. Not only was it crucial to securing their position in the standings, but it also helped them showcase their readiness for the grind of the playoffs. For the Blues, their playoff hopes hung by a thread, and they needed every point they could scrape together to maintain relevance in the race.

But beyond the final score, which favored the Oilers with a decisive 4-2 victory, the game will be remembered for the fierce, often chaotic, clashes that characterized the 60 minutes of action. None more so than the dramatic showdown between Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and veteran forward Corey Perry, two players whose history in the NHL is often marked by intensity, flair, and occasional controversy.

In a game that was already filled with high drama, it was a collision between these two fiery competitors that turned the game into one of the most memorable of the season. This clash didn’t just highlight the tensions of a physical matchup but also underscored the personalities of two players who have been at the center of several league headlines over the years.

The Game Setup: A Clash of Titans

As the puck dropped, it was clear that both teams understood the stakes. The Oilers, riding high on the back of their star-studded lineup, had one goal in mind: securing another two points in the tight Western Conference playoff race. With Connor McDavid leading the charge and Leon Draisaitl continuing his stellar play, Edmonton had the upper hand offensively, but their defense had been a topic of scrutiny for much of the season.

The Blues, on the other hand, were fighting for their playoff lives. Every point mattered, and it was clear that they had come prepared for battle. With a potent combination of veteran leadership and youthful energy, including the standout play of Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis wasn’t going to back down easily.

The game began with an aggressive pace. The Oilers were pushing forward with their speed and skill, but Binnington was determined to stand his ground in net. His sharp, physical style of goaltending has earned him a reputation for being an emotional player, and in a game like this, emotions were running high.

The Binnington Factor: A Goalie with a Temper

Jordan Binnington is known throughout the league not only for his skill between the pipes but also for his fiery temperament. Whether it’s chirping opposing players or responding to a controversial call, Binnington doesn’t shy away from letting his emotions spill onto the ice. Throughout the game, he was consistently involved in altercations, both verbal and physical, with the Oilers’ forwards.

As the Oilers continued to press the attack in the first period, Binnington’s actions became more noticeable. After a scramble in front of the Blues’ net, Binnington found himself involved in a pushing match with Oilers’ center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The whistle blew, but the two were still locked in a battle for position. As the officials stepped in to separate them, Binnington could be heard exchanging words with Nugent-Hopkins, his passion palpable.

However, the real fireworks came when Corey Perry, known for his brash style of play, entered the picture.

Corey Perry: A Veteran Instigator

Corey Perry, the veteran forward, has long been known for his ability to get under the skin of his opponents. As the game wore on, his gritty play began to frustrate the Blues. Perry had a history of engaging in physical confrontations, and in this game, he wasted no time in making his presence felt.

In the second period, Perry found himself on the receiving end of a rough hit from Blues defenseman Colton Parayko. The hit left Perry on the ice for a moment, but he quickly got up and exchanged words with Parayko before skating away. It was then that Binnington stepped into the fray, aggressively confronting Perry as he made his way to the bench.

The two had a few heated words, and it was clear that Binnington wasn’t going to let Perry get away with his antics. Perry, always willing to mix things up, didn’t back down. The verbal exchange escalated quickly, with Perry giving Binnington a piece of his mind as the goalie began to chirp back.

In the heat of the moment, Perry fired a sharp look at Binnington. His smirk was almost predatory, a reminder of the mental warfare he often brings to the game. The referee quickly intervened to separate the two, but it was evident that both players were determined to turn this game into a personal battle.

The Entanglement: A Turning Point

The defining moment of the night came late in the third period, with the game tied at 2-2. As the Oilers pressed for a game-winning goal, the Blues were desperately trying to clear the zone and get their own offensive opportunities. Corey Perry, always a thorn in the side of his opponents, found himself deep in the Blues’ crease.

As Binnington made a save on a dangerous shot from McDavid, Perry, in typical fashion, lingered a moment too long in the crease. Binnington, clearly frustrated by Perry’s presence, shoved the veteran forward. Perry didn’t budge, but instead of retreating, he gave Binnington a subtle push back. What started as a simple altercation turned into a full-on entanglement. The two players collided—Binnington with his blocker up, Perry with his stick out—each trying to assert dominance in the crease.

The clash quickly became a spectacle. Binnington, who had been known for similar confrontations in the past, squared off with Perry, his mask pressed against the veteran’s chest. Perry, never one to shy away from confrontation, stood firm and taunted Binnington. The referee blew the whistle to stop play, but the two were locked in an exchange of words and shoves.

As the play was whistled dead, the tension in the arena reached a boiling point. Both benches were on their feet, watching as Perry and Binnington continued their verbal joust. The Oilers’ bench cheered on their veteran forward, while the Blues’ players rallied around their goaltender. It was clear this altercation was going to be the defining moment of the game.

The Aftermath: Oilers Hold Their Ground

Despite the dramatic confrontation, the Oilers didn’t allow the chaos to distract them from their goal. With the game still tied in the final minutes, McDavid and Draisaitl continued to push the pace. The Oilers’ power play, which had been anemic for much of the season, finally broke through with a critical goal from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. His goal, which came in the dying moments of the third period, gave the Oilers a 3-2 lead.

The Blues, rattled by the previous events and unable to regain their composure, failed to muster a response. The Oilers added an empty-net goal to seal the 4-2 victory, but the focus remained on the emotional showdown between Binnington and Perry.

The Legacy of the Binnington-Perry Incident

As the final buzzer sounded, the game felt like an appetizer for the upcoming playoffs. The Oilers had proven their ability to rise to the occasion, and the Blues had shown that they were willing to fight for every point. But it was the clash between Binnington and Perry that would be remembered.

For Binnington, the altercation with Perry was just another chapter in a career defined by fiery confrontations. His competitive edge and willingness to stand up for his team are part of what makes him one of the most entertaining (and polarizing) goaltenders in the league. However, his antics may have cost the Blues, as the distraction from Perry’s game-long presence in the crease undoubtedly threw him off his game during the critical moments of the third period.

For Corey Perry, this game was simply another day at the office. His role as a veteran agitator was on full display, and his ability to get under the skin of his opponents played a major role in shaping the tempo of the game. Perry’s antics have earned him the respect of his teammates and the ire of his opponents, and this game was no different.

The Oilers, with their playoff aspirations in full swing, now head into the final stretch of the regular season with confidence. The Blues, however, must regroup and find a way to overcome the distraction of their emotional loss.

In the end, this game wasn’t just a victory for the Oilers—it was a reminder that in the NHL, the intensity of the postseason can bleed into the regular season. And in games like these, it’s not just the final score that matters—it’s the emotional battles that take place on the ice that truly define the heart of the game.