Blues player of the game vs. Maple Leafs: Alexey Toropchenko

Blues player of the game vs. Maple Leafs: Alexey Toropchenko (2:00)

The big Russian was at it again with grit, hard work, determination, being a net front presence, forechecking, skating ... you name it, Toropchenko was doing it.

He was rewarded with his ninth goal of the season, tipping in a Nathan Walker shot, that gave the Blues a chance at the time, but it was all for naught in a dreadful 4-1 loss against the shorthanded Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.

When it was evident the Blues (28-22-2) weren't going to get much of anything from their top-end players, it was Toropchenko and linemates Walker and Oskar Sundqvist who provided some semblance of o-zone time for a forechecking game.

Toropchenko once again (deservedly) logged over 15 minutes (15:10), led the Blues with three shots on goal (he had 20 percent of their season-low 15 for the game!), and a team-high seven hits warrants Toropchenko far and beyond the player of the game in a losing effort.

Toropchenko's line and Jordan Binnington (28 saves, including two breakaways and two at point blank range) were the only reason the Blues stood a chance.