NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dan Ellis stopped 20 shots for his first career shutout, helping the Nashville Predators beat the Atlanta Thrashers 3-0 and snap a six-game losing streak.
Jordin Tootoo and Jerred Smithson scored for Nashville, which was one more loss from tying a franchise record.
It was Ellis’ second NHL start, and first this season after Chris Mason got the first eight for Nashville. Ellis was playing his fourth game with the Predators.
Blue Jackets 3, Blues 0
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rick Nash scored a goal in his fifth straight game on a shot between his legs, and Pascal Leclaire stopped 36 shots to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a victory over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
Maple Leafs 5, Penguins 2
PITTSBURGH — Jiri Tlusty, playing his first NHL game, scored two goals 35 seconds apart during a four-goal Toronto flurry in the third period. Sidney Crosby scored his third goal, all against Toronto, and assisted on a goal by Sergei Gonchar.
Rangers 2, Devils 0
NEW YORK — Nigel Dawes needed less than a minute to break New York’s scoring slump, and Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves for his second shutout.
Martin Brodeur made 29 saves.
Lightning 5, Flyers 2
TAMPA, Fla. — Brad Richards had two goals and Vinny Prospal scored his eighth goal of the season. Jason Ward and Michel Ouellet also scored for the Lightning.
Bruins 3, Blackhawks 1
BOSTON — Phil Kessel scored two goals and Tim Thomas made 26 saves to help Boston to its fifth win in six games.
Chicago goalie Nikolai Khabibulin hasn’t won in Boston since 1996 with an 0-5-2 record.
Kessel scored 2:08 into the second period on an end-to-end rush. Jonathan Toews tied the game at 5:13 of the second for eight points in his last eight games.