NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Vitali Yachmenev gave a perfect illustration of the Nashville Predators' blue-collar work ethic.

Yachmenev scored a short-handed goal for the winning tally and added an empty-netter in the game's final second, as the Predators beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 Saturday night to move within four points of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

It was Nashville's third win in four games, moving the second-year Predators within four points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Flames lost their third straight and second in 24 hours. Calgary lost 4-1 Friday night at Detroit.

After getting the short-handed score 4:39 into the third period, Yachmenev tripped over the skate of Flames goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere and slid face-first into the rear boards. He returned to play 10 shifts in the period and score the clinching goal.

"That's what's happening with this team right now, each night it's a different guy coming up with the big plays," Nashville center Cliff Ronning said. "Vitali was the guy tonight, he scored a beautiful goal and got an empty-netter."

Predators backup goalie Tomas Vokoun made 34 saves for his sixth win after an 0-8-1 start.

Nashville defenseman Craig Millar scored the first goal on a long wrist shot that sailed past Giguere's left skate.

Yachmenev made it 2-0 on a short-handed breakaway 4:39 into the third. He slipped a back-hander by Giguere after picking up a loose puck at the Nashville line.

"That added insult to injury," Calgary defenseman Cale Hulse said. "We know it's a 60-minute game. All we've got to do is get a break here or there to tie it up. We've got a good overtime record (10-1-5)."

Valeri Bure scored Calgary's only goal with 44.5 seconds left, a sixth-attacker score in a scramble of players. Yachmenev slid the puck into the empty net at 19:59.

Vokoun was at his best in the third, stopping 18 of 19 shots.

"He made the first save, they cleared the rebounds," said Calgary forward Hnat Domenichelli, who was robbed once by Vokoun.

"I was happy with the way everybody responded after a real dismal performance," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said of Thursday's 6-2 loss to Los Angeles. "We brought a lot of energy and we played better in all three zones."

With 9:11 remaining in the second, and Nashville ahead 1-0, the crowd of 16,729 stood and cheered when the Predators wished the Tennessee Titans well in Sunday's Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams.

"Bring Nashville its first championship," Predators captain Tom Fitzgerald told the Titans in a brief video presentation.

The Predators made up a 30-by-5 foot sign to support the Titans. It was signed by players, coaches, and thousands of fans.