Blues player of the game vs. Predators: Jake Neighbours

2020 first-round pick scored his third goal in four games, worked hard from start to finish in 16:37 ice time, six shot attempts, team-leading five hits in 8-3 loss against Nashville

LOU KORAC NOV 24, 2023 8:25 PM EST

ST. LOUIS -- Let's face it, there's not a lot of positive to write about after the St. Louis Blues were drubbed, 8-3, by the Nashville Predators on Friday afternoon.

But even in the face of getting annihilated on post-Thanksgiving on home ice, Jake Neighbours continued to play with some zip in his game and continues to grow.

The forward scored for the third time in four games, granted it was a third-period power-play goal when the game was already out of hand, but he was promoted to the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich during the game.

It was the Blues' first power-play goal of the season on home ice (1-for-22).

Neighbours finished with a season-high 16:37 ice time and had six shot attempts (three on goal) with a team-high five hits despite being a minus-2. This is a situation when the plus-minus doesn't hold true for players, and it's hard to fault Neighbours for any of the breakdowns that happened in this one.

"He had another strong game tonight for me," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "He was really good. Skating, battling. It looks like he's getting there all the time. Creating opportunities. Did a great job on the PP, on that goal, around the net. So he's playing really well."