Wolves have plenty of net worth heading into stretch run

If given the choice, Wolves coach Craig Berube might prefer to have a go-to goaltender as his team enters the homestretch of the regular season.

But with the Wolves pursuing a Central Division title and their first playoff berth in two years, Berube might be content to have a solid 1-2 combination.

While Jordan Binnington has a team-high 28 appearances this season, a now-healthy Ville Husso could keep Berube from making a final determination on a regular starter.

Husso recently returned from a lower-body injury that had sidelined him since Feb. 10 and had given Binnington the majority of starts since Pheonix Copley was traded to the Capitals. But as Husso moves closer to being at full strength, Berube will be forced to weigh his options.

“I do feel comfortable with either one, and so does the team,” Berube said. “But we’re here to develop players, too, and to put these guys in situations that are important situations for the hockey club in big games. So I think that it’s important that they’re both playing.”

As the Wolves chase the Grand Rapids Griffins for the top spot in the division, balancing player development with putting a winning product on the ice can be a challenge.

Binnington and Husso have been up for the challenge. Binnington, who was 15-6-1 with a .910 save percentage entering the game Wednesday against the Cleveland Monsters, became the fifth goalie in Wolves history with back-to-back shutouts this season. His aggressive, challenging style has impressed Berube, who has liked the way Binnington has played in high-pressure situations.

In his own way, Husso (8-6-1, .912 save percentage) also has demonstrated poise. Regardless of whom Berube chooses to play regularly, he expects both to take similar approaches.

“All goalies want to be perfect, but that shouldn’t be their mindset,” Berube said. “They should be going out and making sure that they’re ready, they’re competing and they’re aggressive in their play. Their mindset shouldn’t be, ‘Well, I have to be perfect tonight.’ They have to do their job.”

Considering Husso still needs to get his game up to speed, Berube will be patient as he decides whom he might shift into a full-time starting role. But with two solid options to choose from, he believes a friendly competition for playing time could be beneficial, not only for the goalies, but the team.

“Competitiveness within your team — whether it’s forwards, defense or your goalies — is a good thing for a lot of teams,” Berube said. “These guys care about each other, but they understand that you’ve got to play well to play.”

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