National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Nashville 4, Buffalo 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York
Referees: Ghislain Hebert, Chris Lee
Linesmen: Brad Kovachik, Steve Miller
Attendance: 18659


Predators 4, Sabres 1: Captain Shea Weber, Craig Smith and Nick Spaling each collected a goal and an assist as visiting Nashville posted its second win following a four-game losing streak.

Former Sabre Paul Gaustad sealed the victory with an empty-net goal as the Predators improved to 3-0-2 in their last five road games. Colin Wilson notched two assists and Carter Hutton turned aside 24 shots in the win.

Drew Stafford scored with the man advantage in his 500th NHL game and Jhonas Enroth finished with 20 saves for Buffalo, which has dropped four of its last five.

Weber gave Nashville a 2-1 lead at 3:33 of the second period after one-timing Wilson's drop pass over the glove of Enroth. Smith netted his team-leading 20th goal just over four minutes later as his low shot from the high slot sailed between the pads of the netminder.

Stafford tallied from the doorstep at 2:09 of the first period for his second goal in as many games. The Predators drew even 15 minutes later as Weber's blast caromed off Spaling's skate and into the net.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stafford became the 30th player to appear in 500 games as a member of the Sabres while teammate LW Matt Ellis played in his 300th game. ... Buffalo RW Chris Stewart is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a lower-body ailment. Stewart, who suffered the injury during Thursday's 3-1 win over Tampa Bay, was acquired from St. Louis in the deal that sent G Ryan Miller and former captain Steve Ott to the Blues. ... Nashville recorded three regulation goals in consecutive contests for the first time since Jan. 18 and 20.
Top Game Performances
 
Nashville   Buffalo
Craig Smith 2 Points Drew Stafford 1
Craig Smith 1 Goals Drew Stafford 1
Colin Wilson 2 Assists Tyler Ennis 1
Nick Spaling 1 Power Play Goals Drew Stafford 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Carter Hutton .960 Save Percentage Jhonas Enroth .870
Carter Hutton 24 Saves Jhonas Enroth 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Nashville 24 4 1-1 3-4 23 30
Buffalo 25 1 1-4 0-1 7 30
Upcoming Games
  • Buffalo will play their next game on the road against Carolina. The Sabres have a W/L % of .211 after a win and .326 after a loss.
  • Nashville will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Predators have a W/L % of .481 after a win and .385 after a loss.