WASHINGTON – Marek Zidlicky and Scott Sullivan scored two goals apiece to lead the Nashville Predators to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Zidlicky had two power-play goals in the first period and assisted on Sullivan’s second-period score. Sullivan had an unassisted power-play goal in the third period. Scott Hartnell added an empty-netter with less than a second left in the game.

Nashville (17-4-3) has won four straight and six of seven. Washington (9-15-2) has lost six of seven.

The Predators had two power plays in the first period and struck quickly on each. Zidlicky scored 35 seconds into the first and 33 seconds into the second, with Paul Kariya and Kimmo Timonen assisting on both. Kariya and Timonen are tied for the team lead in assists with 15.

Nashville’s Chris Mason made 30 saves. He has three wins and a shootout loss in four starts this season.

Washington rookie Alex Ovechkin notched the Capitals’ first goal on a power play in the second period. Ben Clymer added a goal in the third.

Olie Kolzig made 29 saves for the Capitals, including a stop of Sullivan’s penalty shot 10 minutes into the second period.

Flames 4, Devils 1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Jarome Iginla scored two goals and had an assist Wednesday night to lead the Calgary Flames to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Dion Phaneuf and Daymond Langkow also scored, and Phillipe Sauve made 31 saves for the Flames who had three power-play goals.

Calgary took over first place in the Northwest Division. The Flames have 38 points, two more than the idle Vancouver Canucks.

Alexander Mogilny scored for the Devils, who dropped their second straight game.

Calgary took charge with three unanswered goals in the second period.

The Devils picked up two penalties in the first 30 seconds, and the Flames cashed in both power plays to break a 1-1 deadlock.

Phaneuf took a cross-ice pass from Andrew Ference and whipped a shot from the right point past Martin Brodeur 48 seconds into the period.

Langkow, on a pass from Iginla, beat Brodeur from the left circle 38 seconds later for a 3-1 lead.

Iginla scored his second goal at 12:51 on a soft shot that glanced off Brodeur’s skate.

The Devils could not dent Sauve even with four power plays in the third period. New Jersey went 1-for-10 with a man advantage and outshot Calgary 32-15.

The teams exchanged power-play goals in the opening period with Mogilny and Iginla connecting.

Mogilny opened the scoring at 12:50 on a shot from the left circle over Sauve’s left shoulder. The goalie had a busy period as the Devils, aided by four power plays, outshot the Flames 13-2.

Calgary made one of those chances count with 1:18 remaining. Langkow fed a pass to Iginla positioned behind the goal line. The Flames captain skated into the slot and put a shot between Brodeur’s pads.