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The hit that could have altered the Blues season was one that was hardly seen at all.

It was Feb. 18, the first day back at practice during the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Blues were eight points out of a playoff spot. Two of their best players were still playing for Canada. Thinking about the playoffs was only for the optimists.

And on the ice, the Blues got back to work. That meant an hourlong practice — about twice as long as typical in-season sessions — and battles drills to readjust the Blues to the NHL grind. Alexey Toropchenko made sure to welcome Pavel Buchnevich back to the season with a reverse hit in the corner that punctuated a back-and-forth exchange with the two Russians and ended with stick taps and smiles from everyone on the ice, Buchnevich included.

After the practice, Blues coach Jim Montgomery called it “the highlight of practice,� and he would later say on March 1 that that moment was a turning point when the Blues as a team realized “work equals fun.�

For Buchnevich himself, the hit was an example of just how much the break helped him personally reset. He provided some perspective after the game on Tuesday night.

“You expect from me more, and you doesn’t play good, you start getting inside yourself,� Buchnevich said. “You not as positive on the ice, around the team. You try to be inside. I feel like that’s how I’ve been before the break. After the break, everybody come happy, make some jokes.

“I try to hit (Toropchenko) a couple times, doesn’t get it. Go for a third one and he hit me. I fell and probably two weeks before that, I will probably snap and do something stupid. But there is everyone laughing, and after that, bring energy and physicality. Good physicality, not to hurt guys, but good physicality in practice. People love it.

“Even lately, (associate coach Steve Ott) commented, ‘Let’s go hit Torpo.’ It’s a fun part, and enjoy it together.�

Much like the Blues themselves, Buchnevich has rebounded since the 4 Nations break to the tune of 23 points in 22 games. Three of his four three-point games were after the break, including Tuesday’s one-goal, two-assist performance in a 6-1 win over Utah.

In the first 54 games of the season, Buchnevich had just 34 points as he struggled to find consistency on the top line alongside Robert Thomas.

“I’m talking about myself, if you struggle, you’re overthinking everything on the ice,� Buchnevich said. “You’re just thinking stuff what you shouldn’t do. After break, keep it away from your shoulder and start playing like a kid. You love the game, believe in the system and everybody pump you up on the bench, in the locker room. It’s a big help.�

On Tuesday night, Buchnevich set up Brayden Schenn’s first-period goal by springing Jimmy Snuggerud on a breakaway. He scored on a setup by Jake Neighbours that capped a give-and-go with Buchnevich. Then, Buchnevich also assisted on Snuggerud’s goal by shooting a puck to the net-front on the power play to create a scramble.

Buchnevich’s 0.75 points per game across the entire season were his fewest since he arrived in St. Louis in 2021, but he also enters the postseason with six goals in the past eight games.

As for that practice hit back in February?

“I can take it,� Buchnevich said with a smile. “I can take it.�

Suter cashes in

With the Blues qualifying for the playoffs on Tuesday, defenseman Ryan Suter earned a $500,000 bonus for playing at least 60 games and making the playoffs. It meant Suter maxed out his bonuses — also $225,000 for playing 10 games, $400,000 for playing 30 games, $500,000 for playing 40 games and $600,000 for playing 60 games — with the Blues this season.

Suter earned $775,000 in base salary and an additional $2.225 million in bonuses for $3 million total this season from St. Louis. Suter was also being paid $1.433 million by the Stars and $833,333 by the Wild after they both bought him out of contracts.

Dvorsky down

The Blues assigned forward Dalibor Dvorsky to AHL affiliate Springfield (Massachusetts) on Wednesday afternoon, as the Thunderbirds still have two regular-season games remaining. Dvorsky played one game during this stint in the NHL, filling in on the third line April 9 in Edmonton.

Springfield has clinched a playoff berth and is currently lined up to play against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a best-of-three first-round series.