NHL: St. Louis 2, Nashville 0

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Jaroslav Halak turned aside all 32 shots he faced Sunday, notching his fourth shutout this season in the St. Louis Blues' 2-0 win over Nashville.

Halak stopped 12 shots each in the first and second frames and didn't have to face any power Nashville plays -- the Blues weren't whistled for a single penalty in registering their third straight win.

David Backes got both St. Louis goals -- a second period tally and an empty-netter to clinch the victory.

Nashville's offensive woes continued in its fourth straight loss. The Predators have scored one goal or less in the each of the defeats.

Pekka Rinne took the hard-luck loss, stopping 24-of-25 shots.