Blues keep win streak alive at five, thanks to Greiss in 5-4 shootout win over Capitals

That's how good Greiss was, who capped off a frantic 5-4 win over the Washington Capitals in a six-round shootout to help the Blues (8-8-0) not only climb back to .500 but do so with their fifth straight win.

The Capitals, who spotted the Blues a 3-0 lead in the first, threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Blues backup from the second period on, including 40 shots over the second and third periods, 22-3 in the third.

In Greiss's four starts this season, he's faced 169 shots, good for 42.3 shots per game.

"I don't know what it is, but it's just the way it goes," Greiss said with a wide smile. "You’ve got to make the best of it.

"It was just fun. In the game, you don't think too much and you just play a game. Go through it."

Greiss, 36, won his first game since signing a one-year, $1.25 million (plus $250,000 with bonuses) contract to be Jordan Binnington's backup.

And as he was unpacking his gear, taking off every ounce of sweat after thwarting five of six Capitals shootout attempts, including Conor Sheary to end the game after Pavel Buchnevich gave the Blues the lead, Greiss was having a moment with Binnington, who was his biggest fan in the game.

"Just talking about the glove save," Greiss said. "He had a great one last game (Wednesday in a 5-2 win at Chicago, on Taylor Raddysh in the first period) and I was able to make on today."

Greiss and Binnington were talking about the extended glove save he made on John Carlson, who did score twice later in the game, with 16:31 remaining in the second period to preserve a 3-0 lead, going from his right to left and flashing the leather off a 2-on-1.

"For sure, it’s better than bad goal talks," Greiss said smiling.

Indeed.

It was the first of a plethora of key saves Greiss had to make in the game because Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals were coming ... in waves, in droves, in bushels. The Blues were losing their legs on the second of back-to-back games, turning pucks over and chasing it.

He helped preserve a 4-2 lead when he kicked out Sonny Milano's point blank attempt.

"Some days it works out and some days it doesn't," Greiss said. "So, happy it worked out today."

It's no secret the Blues left their goalie out to dry, and they knew it. But they're thankful they were talking about a 'W' all thanks to Greiss.

"It’s no secret a guy like that, he’s been around forever," Blues center Brayden Schenn said of Greiss. "He’s a true pro. He works extremely hard off the ice, on the ice, staying prepared. The preparation’s huge when you’re in a position like that. Both of our goalies have been great this year."

They needed a goalie win in the worst way to keep the win streak alive.

"Fantastic," Buchnevich said of Greiss's play. "We should play better in front of him. He actually play before three games, helluva games. I watch in press box and we lose. He's a helluva goalie. We have to help him much better than we did today."

"We were a little bit gassed (from) on the road and coming back," coach Craig Berube said. "Got off to a good lead, which was important, but the goalie was excellent."