Predators put away Sabres with first-period scoring flurry

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Vitali Yachmenev and Rem Murray scored 58 seconds apart in Nashville's three-goal first period to lead the Predators to a 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.

Adam Hall and Jason York had a goal and assist each, and David Legwand also scored for the streaking Predators, who improved to 4-1-1 in their last six. The Predators matched a season high for goals in a game, and they have scored three or more times in 13 of 17 outings.

Stars 5, Senators 3

DALLAS -- Bill Guerin redirected Sergei Zubov's shot from the blue line with 5:24 left, sending Dallas past Ottawa in a showdown between the NHL's top two teams.

Mike Modano sealed Dallas' 70th point by scoring into an empty net with 36.3 seconds left.

East-leading Ottawa blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2, with all its goals coming on Martin Havlat's third career hat trick. Although the Senators lost when leading after two periods for the first time since Jan. 20, 2002, they remain one point ahead with a game in hand in the race for the Presidents' Trophy.

Sharks 3, Kings 0

LOS ANGELES -- Bryan Marchment and Matt Bradley each scored their first goal of the season and Owen Nolan got his fifth in four games as San Jose beat Los Angeles.

Evgeni Nabokov made 32 saves, and Jim Fahey had two assists for the Sharks, who have won consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 14.

The closest the Kings came to scoring was when Mikko Eloranta's 35-foot slap shot hit the right post midway through the third period. It was the 16th career shutout for Nabokov.

The injury-riddled Kings slipped into the Pacific Division cellar -- one point behind San Jose. They have only one regulation victory in 18 games, with the other three wins during this 4-14 stretch coming in overtime.

The Kings have been shut out in four of 17 games.