Morin has goal, assist and Blackhawks earn 4-2 victory over Blues

St Louis Blues' Jaden Schwartz, right, celebrates with teammates T.J. Oschie, left, and David Backes after scoring a first period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in an NHL hockey game in Chicago on Sunday, April 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Cherney) (The Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks Brandon Bollig and St Louis Blues' David Backes, second from left, get tangled in front of the Blues goalie Brian Elliot, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago on Sunday, April 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Cherney) (The Associated Press)

CHICAGO – Rookie Jeremy Morin scored and set up Patrick Sharp's go-ahead goal in the second period, and the injury-depleted Chicago Blackhawks held on to defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Sunday afternoon for their third straight win.

The Blackhawks ground out the victory despite skating without injured star forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for the third game. Forward Brandon Saad was a last-minute scratch.

Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith also scored for Chicago, which closed to one point behind Colorado for second place in the Central Division and home ice in the first round of the playoffs. The Blackhawks have three games left. The Avalanche, who host Pittsburgh on Sunday night, have five games left.

Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Sobotka connected for St. Louis, which lost its second straight and remained two points behind idle Boston for the NHL's overall point lead and race for the Presidents' Trophy.