NHL: Nashville 4, Atlanta 3

NASHVILLE, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Jason Arnott scored 7 seconds into the third period to give Nashville a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday.

Martin Erat, Jerrod Smithson and Joel Ward scored, giving the Predators a 3-1 lead, but it vanished in the second period.

Bryan Little had a pair of goals for Atlanta. Chris Thorborn also scored and Johan Hedberg allowed four goals on 31 shots.

Erat nailed a slapshot with 8:48 remaining in the second period to put Nashville ahead 3-1. But Atlanta struck back with a shorthanded goal by Thorburn with 7:37 to play in the period to make it 3-2. Little scored 2 1/2 minutes later to tie the game.

The deciding goal by Arnott gave the win to Pekka Rinne, who had 23 saves for the Predators.