NHL: Columbus 4, Minnesota 0

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Curtis McElhinney, forced into the role of No. 1 goaltender, recorded his first shutout of the season Friday in carrying Columbus to a 4-0 win over Minnesota.

McElhinney is filling in for the injured Sergei Bobrovsky, who is out for at least four weeks.

The new starting goalie made 20 saves in what was his ninth appearance of the season. McElhinney turned in the third shutout of his seven-year career. Columbus is the fifth NHL team for which he has played.

Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno scored in the second period and Boone Jenner and R.J. Umberger produced goals in the third to bring Columbus its second straight victory. The Wild had won two in a row.

Niklas Backstrom allowed the four goals on 41 shots.