Legace stops Blackhawks for shutout

ST. LOUIS -- Lee Stempniak and Dennis Wideman scored goals to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

St. Louis has not given up a goal in the first period since Andy Murray became coach 12 games ago. The streak matches the NHL record which was set in 1974 by the Los Angeles Kings. The Blues ended the Kings streak that season by scoring a first period goal in the 13th game.

Blues goalie Manny Legace faced 14 shots in the first period. He stopped a breakaway at 13:36 by Martin Havlat and blanked the Blackhawks on two power-play opportunities.

In all, Legace stopped 28 shots to earn his 15th career shutout. His last was Dec. 30 against Colorado.

Legace has posted a 6-1-1 record in his last eight games.

Stempniak scored his 12th goal of the season at 11:14 of the first period on the power play, giving the Blues a 1-0 lead.

St. Louis had a two-man advantage when Stempniak scored from the left faceoff circle.

Wideman gave the Blues a 2-0 lead 29 seconds into the third period when he pushed the puck into an open net.