Jordan Binnington shuts out Devils and sets a Blues franchise record with his 152nd victory

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jordan Binnington stopped 31 shots for the 16th shutout of his career and set the St. Louis franchise record with his 152nd victory as the Blues beat the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Binnington's franchise record win came in the 298th game of his NHL career and moved him past Mike Liut.

Dylan Holloway had two goals for the Blues and Robert Thomas scored nine seconds into the game, missing by one second the NHL record held by two players for the fastest game-opening goal. Thomas and two others scored in nine seconds.

Justin Faulk, Pavel Buchnevich, Brandon Saad and Jake Neighbours recorded assists.

St. Louis did all of its scoring in the first period. Entering Wednesday, the Blues had outscored 23-12 in the opening period.

Jacob Markstrom, who was appearing in his 500th career game, stopped 17 shots for New Jersey, which outshot the Blues 32-18.

New Jersey managed just seven shots in three power-play chances.

The Devils were without forward Timo Meier, who was suspended for one game for cross-checking Nashville Predators forward Zachary L'Heureux in the face in Monday's 5-2 victory.

Blues: St. Louis is a resurgent team since Jim Montgomery took over as head coach on Monday after being fired by Boston five days earlier. The Blues have won two straight road games after dropping nine of their previous 11.

Devils: New Jersey is 10-4 over its last 14 games, with all four losses being shutouts.

Thomas' goal nine seconds into the game is the fastest game-opening goal by any team this season.

St. Louis blocked 24 shots, six by defenseman Ryan Suter, to help preserve its second shutout of the season.

The Blues host Philadelphia on Saturday before embarking on a four-game trip. The Devils visit Detroit on Friday for their third game in five days.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington makes a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington is congratulated by Robert Thomas (18) after the Blues defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-0 in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington stops a shot in front of New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

St. Louis Blues left wing Jake Neighbours reacts towards goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) after beating the New Jersey Devils 3-0 in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. St. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and Ryan Suter (22) watch the puck go past during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom reacts during the third period of a 3-0 loss in an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic (8) battles for the puck with St. Louis Blues center Dylan Holloway during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. St. Louis won 3-0. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington makes a save in front of New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) makes a save against the New York Islanders during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s central bank on Thursday lowered its key policy rate for the second straight month and said the country’s economy will grow at a slower pace than it initially anticipated.

Following a meeting of its monetary policymakers, the Bank of Korea cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 3%. The bank lowered its outlook for the country’s economic growth from 2.4% to 2.2% for 2024 and from 2.1% to 1.9% for 2025.

It was the second straight month that the bank took steps to lower borrowing costs and expand money supply, despite the lingering effects of high inflation and alarming levels of household debt, as concerns grow about a faltering economy.

The bank had also slashed its policy rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.25% in October, which presented its first rate cut since May 2020, when the economy was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bank said the country’s trade-dependent economy is facing growing uncertainties in global economic trends and inflation, which it said could be impacted by the policies of the new U.S. government led by Donald Trump and ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Since winning reelection, Trump has vowed to slap huge new tariffs on foreign products entering the United States, including those from Mexico, Canada and China, which he insists will create more domestic jobs and shrink the federal deficit.

The Bank of Korea said South Korea’s economy has been losing its growth momentum amid weak domestic consumption, slowing exports and decreasing employment.

“Going forward, domestic consumption will see a mild recovery, but the recovery in exports is likely to be weaker than initially anticipated due to intensifying competition and strengthening of protectionist trade policies in key industries,” the bank said in a statement.

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong arrives to hold a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong speaks during a press conference at the central bank in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

FILE - People pass by the headquarters of the Bank of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)