Blues player of the game vs. Ducks: Alexey Toropchenko

But the Blues came out with the right mindset on Sunday at Honda Center against the Anaheim Ducks in a 3-1 win, and there were a number of players that played key roles, but player of the game goes to the big Russian, Alexey Toropchenko.

I liked his energy throughout the game. He was skating hard, forechecking, getting to the net, winning board battles, cycling pucks with linemates Kevin Hayes and Kasperi Kapanen and scored a big goal in the second period that gave the Blues (9-7-1) the necessary breathing room to close out a road victory.

Toropchenko was a plus-1 in 13:35 of ice time with a team-high five shots on goal and could have scored one or two more; he was tied with Robert Thomas in shots on goal. 

Oskar Sundqvist, who was THN's player to watch going into the game, also played an exceptional game with an assist (the Blues are 6-0-0 when he has at least a point); Jake Neighbours, who opened the scoring, also played a solid game and Joel Hofer bounced back with a strong performance in goal with 30 saves after being pulled Thursday at San Jose.

But Toropchenko gets the nod tonight for the Blues, who close out the four-game road trip Wednesday in Arizona against the Coyotes.