NHL: Nashville 4, Chicago 1

CHICAGO, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Backup goaltender Dan Ellis stopped 34 shots Friday in carrying Nashville to a 4-1 triumph over Chicago.

Ellis won his first two starts of the season and then lost his next six spanning a month. He has seen limited action of late, but filled in for Pekka Rinne against the Blackhawks and had one of his best games of the season.

He allowed the first goal of the game midway through the first period, but the Nashville offense took over to end a two-game skid.

Dan Hamhuis tied it late in the first period, Martin Erat scored the only goal of the second and Jordin Tootoo and Joel Ward had third-period scores.

Chicago lost for the first time in nine games at home.