NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tomas Vokoun and Nashville Predators

made it look easy against the slumping Vancouver Canucks.

Vokoun made 31 saves for his third shutout of the season and Dan

Hamhuis and Scott Hartnell each had a goal and an assist in the

Predators' 5-0 victory over Vancouver on Tuesday night.

"It's a big win for us," Vokoun said. "Our goal was to put

more space between them and us in the standings."

Nashville has earned at least one point in the tight Western

Conference standings in six straight games, including three

victories over Vancouver in a 12-day span. The Canucks have lost

five consecutive games.

"We executed really well and took parts of their game away and

established parts of our game tonight," Nashville coach Barry

Trotz said. "You need a lot of different parts working together if

you want to be successful."

Jordin Tootoo, Scottie Upshall, and Jerred Smithson also scored

for the Predators, and Steve Sullivan had three assists. Nashville

is four points ahead of Colorado for the fourth playoff spot in the

Western Conference and nine points behind first-place Detroit in

the Central Division.

"We had our legs tonight, everyone was flying, and Vokoun was

steady as a rock again for us," Sullivan said. "We're still

gunning for Detroit, and we have plenty of games left."

Hamhuis scored the game's first goal at 3:05 of the opening

period.

From the right faceoff circle, Adam Hall sent a pass to Hamhuis

at the left point. Hamhuis ripped a slap shot by goalie Mika

Noronen. The goal was Hamhuis' third of the season, but first since

Nov. 23.

Noronen made his first appearance in goal for the Canucks after

being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

"We had hoped Noronen would come in and have a good game, and

he didn't," Vancouver coach Marc Crawford said. "We're not

performing at our top level, and we have to eliminate as much

negative thought as possible."

Tootoo put the Predators ahead 2-0 at 8:28 of the second period.

Vancouver's best scoring opportunity came with 46 seconds

remaining in the second period. With the Canucks on the power play,

Vokoun moved across his crease to kick away Anson Carter's shot.

The Canucks were 0-for-8 on the power play Tuesday night, and

are 1-for-28 with the man-advantage on their current losing streak.

"We had chances, it is just a matter of finishing them and

getting those key goals," Vancouver captain Markus Naslund said.

"It's difficult, the pucks are not going in, and as an offensive

player, the only thing you can do is keep pushing."<

^Notes: The victory was Nashville's 38th of the season, tying the

franchise record set in 2003-04 ... Canucks twins Daniel and Henrik

Sedin each had their five-game point streaks snapped. ... Brendan

Witt had an assist, his first point as a Predator.