Bobby McMann's hat tricks sends Leafs past Blues

[February 14, 2024]  Bobby McMann scored three goals -- more than doubling his career goal total -- and the short-handed Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Tuesday.
 
The Maple Leafs were without Mitchell Marner (illness), John Tavares (illness) and Morgan Rielly (suspension). McMann, who had just two goals in 36 previous NHL games, played because of the scratches.  

Feb 13, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby (41) makes a save during warm up before a game against the St. Louis Blues at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

William Nylander also scored for the Maple Leafs, and Ilya Samsonov made 14 saves as Toronto won for the fifth time in seven games.

Alexey Toropchenko scored for the Blues, who had won seven of their previous eight games. St. Louis also had a five-game road winning streak end.

Jordan Binnington stopped 28 shots for St. Louis, making some good saves.

McMann drove to the net off the forecheck and stuffed in the game's opening goal at 5:33 of the first period. Noah Gregor earned the lone assist.

Nylander scored his 26th of the season at 16:25 of the first for a 2-0 lead. He gathered a loose puck before his shot from the left circle went in after being deflected by a St. Louis player.

Toropchenko scored his ninth of the season at 5:36 of the second period, tipping in Nathan Walker's shot from the right circle. Matthew Kessel also had an assist.

St. Louis had two power plays in the second period and managed only one shot on goal each time. Gregor was stopped by Binnington on a breakaway while the Maple Leafs were killing the first penalty.

Toronto had its first power play late in the second, and Binnington made a superb save on Max Domi.

McMann scored his fourth of the season at 8:02 of the third period. He retained a rolling loose puck and fired home a 22-footer. TJ Brodie and Simon Benoit earned assists as McMann produced his first career NHL two-goal game.

He made it a hat trick when he scored into an empty net at 18:21.

Rielly started to serve a five-game suspension for crosschecking Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig to the head at the end of the 5-3 Toronto loss on Saturday. Rielly had a hearing Tuesday afternoon.

--Field Level Media

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