Sam Reinhart’s hat trick and Jack Eichel’s 5 assists key Buffalo’s come-from-behind win.
By Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent
NASHVILLE, TN. — Jack Eichel had a NHL career-high five assists, Sam Reinhart scored a hat trick, and the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Nashville Predators 7-4 at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.
The Predators (50-17-11) lead the Central Division but saw their advantage cut to five points when the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Saturday.
Buffalo defenseman Victor Antipin left on a stretcher in the second period after being hit by Nashville forward Scott Hartnell at 14:09. Hartnell received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. The Sabres scored three goals on the ensuing major power play to take a 6-4 lead.
Reinhart tied the game 4-4 at 15:04 of the second period with his 21st goal, and made it 5-4 when he got to the rebound of a shot by Ryan O’Reilly at 17:18.
Kyle Okposo extended the lead to 6-4 at 19:00 on a wrist shot from the slot. It was his second goal of the game and 13th of the season.
Reinhart made it 7-4 at 8:17 of the third period on a shot from the slot.
Nick Bonino gave the Predators a 4-3 lead at 12:50 of the second period with his 12th goal.
Jason Pominville gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead 43 seconds into the first period on a rebound, but the Predators scored three straight goals for a 3-1 lead.
P.K. Subban, on the power play at 2:59, tied it 1-1, Austin Watson (17:00) made it 2-1 and Kyle Turris extended it to 3-1 at 2:00 of the second period.
Ryan cut the lead to 3-2 with a power-play goal at 5:45, and Okposo tied it 3-3 at 7:20.