Demitra's Five Points Lift Blues

Pierre Turgeon has turned on the offense for the St. Louis Blues in the last two weeks.

"I think the whole team has stepped it up," said Turgeon after scoring his 13th career hat trick in the St. Louis Blues' 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

Turgeon has seven goals in his last eight games but downplayed his offensive accomplishments.

"A lot of good things happened tonight and we want to carry that momentum into our next game," Turgeon said.

The first-place Blues, who lead Detroit by two points in the Central Division, play the Red Wings in Detroit on Wednesday night.

"I just want to go out there and have fun and win a hockey game," Turgeon said.

Turgeon said he was not aware he has 13 career hat tricks. It was his first since he joined the Blues in 1996.

The Blackhawks, held to only 14 shots, are winless in their last seven games (0-6-1) and 3-6-2 in their last 11.

Blackhawks coach Dirk Graham spoke harshly about his team after the game.

"They were a disgrace to the uniform," Graham said. "I learned a great deal about some of our players tonight. To a man, nobody responded and it is extremely discouraging."

Blues coach Joel Quenneville, obviously, was a lot happier.

"I don't when we've played a better game this year," Quenneville said.

The Blues led 2-0 after the first period on power-play goals by Pavol Demitra and Turgeon.

Demitra scored at 8:57 when he deflected a slap shot by Al MacInnins past Chicago goaltender Jeff Hackett.

Turgeon scored his fifth goal of the season at 10:31 on a shot from behind the net that bounced off Hackett and rolled into the goal.

St. Louis' Tony Twist lands a punch on Chicago's Dennis Bonvie in the first period. Both received a five-minute major for fighting. (AP)

Demitra and Turgeon each scored again in the second period to give the Blues a 4-0 lead.

Turgeon scored at 12:35 on a pass from Geoff Courtnall in front of the goal. Demitra scored when a shot by MacInnis deflected on Chicago defenseman Trent Yawney and fell at Demitra's feet for an easy goal.

Eathan Moreau scored both Chicago goals against Jamie McLennan, the first at 18:42 of the second period and another at 18:22 of the third.

Turgeon scored the final goal 19:54 of the third period.

St. Louis outshot Chicago 41-14. The 14 shots are a season low for the Blackhawks.

The attendance of 20,141 was the second sellout of the season for the Blues, 5-3-3 in their last 11 games.

Chicago's Tony Amonte had his goal-scoring streak stopped at three games.

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