Versteeg out, Nordstrom in for Blackhawks

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks are throwing a change-up into their lineup Sunday at United Center against the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of a Western Conference First Round series.

Following pregame warm-up, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville decided to scratch veteran forward Kris Versteeg and play rookie forward Joakim Nordstrom instead.

The Blackhawks lead the best-of-7 series 3-2.

Nordstrom and Versteeg each took warm-up. Versteeg played in each of the first five games, getting bumped down from top line to third line to right wing on the fourth line. That's the spot Nordstrom will likely start out after playing that role in the final seven games of the regular season.

Nordstrom broke training camp with the Blackhawks and played 10 games before being sent to Rockford of the American Hockey League. He has one goal and had two assists in 16 NHL games.

Versteeg, who was re-acquired in a midseason trade with the Florida Panthers, scored 12 goals and had 36 points in 81 regular-season games. He has two assists in this series.