Blues player of the game vs. Canadiens: Alexey Toropchenko

Blues player of the game vs. Canadiens: Alexey Toropchenko (; 2:41)

After shoveling a prime scoring chance wide against the Buffalo Sabres, I posted on 'X' the following:   

Nothing said here was wrong. I've seen Toropchenko lots with prime scoring opportunities that he hasn't converted on simply because the hands haven't caught up with the work rate, or work ethic, which are second to none on this team.

Well, Toropchenko gave a 'hold by beer' moment with a beautiful goal, which set the tone for a touchdown afternoon on Super Bowl Sunday in a 7-2 rout of the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.

Sure, Torey Krug had a career-high five points (all assists) and set a Blues record for most assists in a game, Robert Thomas had four points (one goal, three assists), Jake Neighbours had himself a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, but playing the second of back-to-backs on the road, needing to get some pep in the step, I thought No. 13 was an engine for the team that filtered throughout the lineup.

His goal came 25 seconds into the contest, he continued to work hard, forecheck, create havoc and could have scored a hat trick himself had it not been for former Blue goalie Jake Allen robbing him twice on net front plays simply by driving to the net and being aggressive.

Toropchenko played 15:48, was plus-2, was tied for second on the team with four shots on goal, had a takeaway and a blocked shot for his efforts as the player of the game in the Blues' seventh win in eight games and fifth straight on the road.