NHL: Buffalo 7, Nashville 2

NASHVILLE, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Sabres rolled over the Nashville Predators, 7-2, Tuesday, with Ales Kotalik, Jason Pominville, and Maxim Afinogenov scoring two goals each.

Derek Roy had three assists, Toni Lydman a goal and one assist and Martin Biron 29 stops for Buffalo, which has now won four of its last six games.

Martin Erat and Jason Arnott scored for Nashville, which saw its five-game winning streak snapped. Chris Mason stopped just 21-of-26 shots through two periods, dropping to 12-5-2 on the year. Michael Leighton made 8-of-10 saves in relief in his first appearance of the season.

The game was marred when Sabres defenseman Jaroslav Spacek backed into and upended Predators forward Scott Nichols. Nichols fell back, dislodging the net.

But the diminutive Nichols came up from the ice and sucker-punched Spacek. Nichols drew 27 minutes in penalties and was ejected, while the unconscious Spacek drew only a minor interference call.

Buffalo was awarded a five-minute power play.