NHL: Colorado 3, Nashville 1

DENVER, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Marek Svatos' second-period goal was the game-winner and Ryan Smyth had two assists for Colorado Saturday night in a 3-1 Avalanche win over Nashville.

Paul Stastny and Jordan Leopold scored the other goals for the Avalanche, who have won four of their last five games.

Peter Budaj stopped 31 shots and picked up an assist.

Martin Gelinas scored and Chris Mason let in three goals on 15 shots for the Predators, who lost their third straight and their fifth out of six.

Stastny put the Avalanche up 1-0 with his 14th goal of the season at 4:06 of the second. Svatos scored what turned out to be the decisive goal at 14:50 of the second, picking up a rebound of Smyth's shot and putting it into the net.