Blues' rookie Stempniak scores shootout winner

ST. LOUIS -- Rookie Lee Stempniak is taking advantage of the St. Louis Blues' salary purge.

The 22-year-old right wing had his second big game since the trades earlier this week of Doug Weight and Mike Sillinger, scoring two goals and getting the game-winner in the shootout of a 6-5 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Stempniak also got the winner in a shootout against the Flames on Monday.

"It's a huge thrill," Stempniak said. "However many goals I have this year, I remember them all and how they went in. I'm still like a kid out there, just amazed by being in the NHL and scoring goals."

Petr Cajanek had a goal and two assists for the Blues, who are 8-15-3 at home and won after squandering a 3-0 second-period lead. The Blues, tied for last overall with the Penguins, have won consecutive games at home for the first time all season, and have won consecutive games only twice all season.

The other modest winning streak for the Blues, who have been stripped of most of their frontline talent to facilitate a sale, was Nov. 16 and 19 at Columbus and Detroit.

Stempniak beat rookie Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford between the pads on the third round to snap a 1-1 tie. Fellow rookie Jay McClement also scored in the shootout for the Blues, while Radim Vrbata converted a backhander for the Blackhawks.

Stempniak changed his shootout strategy against the Blackhawks after scoring on a high drive against the Flames.

"A lot of it is just sort of reacting to the goalie, seeing what happens, what's worked," Stempniak said. "I like to watch the highlights and see what works around the league and see if I can practice those and get them to work."

Stempniak has four of his seven goals in the last three games for the Blues, who got a goal and an assist from Vladimir Orszagh.