Over the offseason, Brian MacLellan made a myriad of roster moves to try to make the Caps a championship contender. That included trading thick-and-proud forward Troy Brouwer to St. Louis for TJ Oshie. No matter how excited I am about the dangling Oshie in a Caps uniform, I’ll forever remember Brouwer fondly as one of those heart-and-soul guys who came up big in the Winter Classic.

That’s why I had a big smile when I saw Troy score during his first game with the Blues Thursday.

Troy’s wearing #36.

Brouwer scored an empty net goal on his backhand from center ice. It may have been a clearing attempt. It’s pretty much the most Brouwer goal to ever Brouwer.

He was naturally very happy about his accomplishment on the bench.

Congratulations, Troy. And as Ranger Ryan, er Mario, so eloquently put it, “When we play you, we hope you do horrible.”