CHICAGO (AP) -- Rob Valicevic admits he was an unlikely candidate to become the first-ever Nashville Predator to post a hat trick.

	Nashville's Mark Mowers can't get this shot past Chicago goalie Steve Passmore.

But Wednesday, he scored three times on this first three shots as the Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2, and snapped a five-game losing streak.

"You never expect to score three goals in this league," said Valicevic, who keyed a four-goal, first period for Nashville. "Being the player I am, I might expect one, maybe two. I feel honored and like someone was watching over me."

Valicevic, a 28-year-old forward, has had success scoring as a collegiate and minor-leaguer. However, he had just one goal in 13 previous games with the Predators this season and five goals and two assists in 32 career NHL games.

Valicevic didn't play in the NHL until last season, when he played 19 games with the then first-year Predators.

"If it wasn't for my linemates and the defense getting the puck through, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you right now," Valicevic said. "Sometimes you take a beating in front of the net. Other times, no matter what you touch goes in the net."

Nashville coach Barry Trotz said it was more than just luck.

"He (Valicevic) did three things," Trotz said. "He worked hard, he threw the puck to the net and he went to the paint. He was hungry."

Randy Robitaille had Nashville's other goal.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are still searching for their first home victory. Chicago, which got power-play goals from Sylvain Cote and Tony Amonte, saw its winless streak at the United Center reach nine games (0-6-3).

With Pittsburgh's 5-4 win over Montreal on Wednesday, the Blackhawks are the only team not to have won on home ice this season.

"Well, obviously, this is embarrassing right now," said Chicago's Doug Gilmour. "It's frustrating at the same time. The only thing we can do as a team is come back tomorrow."

In outscoring the Blackhawks 4-1 in the first period, the Predators outhustled Chicago and chased starting goaltender Jocelyn Thibault.

"Every game we've played at home this year we've been outworked," Chicago coach Lorne Molleken said. "And tonight we weren't prepared to do the little things to win."

After a Chicago turnover, Robitaille opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the game from the left circle.

After a failed Blackhawks clearing attempt, Valicevic swept in his first goal from almost the same spot at 6:17. His deflection of Dan Keczmer's shot from the top of the slot at 9:44 made it 3-0 and sent Thibault to the bench.

Thibault was replaced by Steve Passmore and Cote made it 3-1 with a power-play goal with 4:05 left in the period. But 1:34 later, Valicevic redirected Drake Berehowsky's shot behind Passmore.

After a scoreless second period, Amonte converted a power-play goal with 4:16 remaining in the third period to complete the scoring.