Huet, Blackhawks shut out Blues

CHICAGO -- Cristobal Huet made 27 saves for his second shutout of the season, and Patrick Kane assisted on all three Chicago goals in the Blackhawks' 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.

Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell and Marian Hossa scored for Chicago, and Jonathan Toews had two assists.

With Huet's 22nd career shutout, the Blackhawks have not allowed a goal over two games and a span of 141:21. Backup goalie Antti Niemi blanked Tampa Bay 4-0 on Sunday night in Chicago's previous contest.

Kane, the Blackhawks' leading points scorer, returned to face the Blues after leaving Sunday's game with a cut above his left eye that required seven stitches.

The Blackhawks improved their NHL-leading home record to 14-3-1. At 21-8-3 overall, Chicago is off to its best start since 1982-83 when it was 21-5-6 after 32 games.

Linesman Lonnie Cameron middle, tries to break up a fight between Blues forward Brad Winchester, left, and Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien, right, during the third period Wednesday in Chicago. (PAUL BEAUTY ~ Associated Press)

Ty Conklin made 32 saves for the Blues, who dropped to 8-3-3 on the road. He stopped breakaways by Kris Versteeg and Andrew Ladd.

Chicago defenseman Cam Barker left the game early in the third period with an undisclosed injury.

The Blackhawks outshot the Blues 21-9 in the first period and led 2-0 after 20 minutes.

Brouwer opened the scoring on with 5:27 left in the first when his shot from the top of the right circle deflected in off St. Louis defenseman Barret Jackman.

Campbell made it 2-0 just over three minutes later during a power-play on a screened drive from the right point. The sailed past Conklin on the stick side.

Chicago Blackhawks' Dustin Byfuglien right, checks St. Louis Blues' Patrik Berglund of Sweden, in the first period during a NHL hockey game in Chicago, Wednesday Dec. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

The power-play goal was just Chicago's second in 22 chances over six games.

The Blues had few prime chances against Huet. However, David Perron's shot from a sharp angle early in the second slithered past Huet and across the crease. With 7:50 left in the period, Huet made a sharp glove save on B.J. Crombeen's shot from the slot.

Hossa's goal with 3:06 left in the second extended the Blackhawks' lead to 3-0. Left uncovered in the slot when two Blues defensemen drifted to the crease, Hossa took Toews' feed from behind the net and fired a shot in off Conklin's pad.

Huet made a quick pad save on Paul Kariya with 4 minutes left in the third.

Noteworthy

* The last goal allowed by Chicago was to Buffalo's Clarke MacArthur at 18:39 of the second period in a 2-1 loss the Sabres last Friday.

* Wednesday's game was the first this season between the Central Division rivals, both of whom played their 32nd contest. Chicago and St. Louis each had faced every other team in the Western Conference before Wednesday.

* Chicago RW Tomas Kopecky and Blues RW Keith Tkachuk were healthy scratches.

* St. Louis D Eric Brewer sat out his 10th game with a back injury.

* The crowd of 21,137 was a season-high for Blackhawks and their 68th straight sellout.

* Blackhawks career scoring leader Stan Mikita dropped the ceremonial first puck with his three grandsons.