Atlanta, GA (My Sportsbook) - Martin Hossa scored twice as the Atlanta Thrashers beat the Buffalo Sabres, 5-2, at Philips Arena.

Pascal Dupuis, Colin Stuart and Ilya Kovalchuk also tallied for the Thrashers, who entered having lost four of six. Johan Hedberg made 37 saves in the win.

"Definitely, it was a huge win," said Hossa. "Any win is a huge win. I thought we played a good team game. I think we have a good chance to be over .500 and be a playoff team again."

Thomas Vanek and Clarke MacArthur scored for the Sabres, who have dropped a season-high six straight. Ryan Miller struggled, allowing four goals on 29 shots for Buffalo.

Buffalo struck first on Vanek's tip-in for a 1-0 edge with 13:50 remaining in the first period.

Hossa, however, tied the game with 10:40 to go in the first period. After stealing the puck from Atlanta's Ales Kotalik behind the net, Hossa beat Miller with a wraparound goal.

Atlanta scored the lone goal of the second period 6:45 into the frame. Dupuis scored on a shot that caromed off Miller's skate into the net.

Stuart scored 1:37 into the third period, pushing Atlanta's lead to 3-1. Stuart scored with a backhand flip over Miller's shoulder.

Hossa beat Miller with a wrist shot from the right circle with 14:46 left in the third period, giving Atlanta a commanding 4-1 lead.

"We had a couple chances in the first two shifts of the third period and we gave them two mistakes," said Buffalo captain Jaroslav Spacek. "We gave them a couple chances and they buried both of them."

MacArthur's tally with 10:26 to go in the third period cut the Thrashers lead to 4-2. Hedberg, though, shut the door the rest of the way.

Kovalchuk's empty net goal, his league leading 34th, capped the scoring.

Game Notes

Atlanta drew five penalties, but killed off all five ensuing Buffalo power plays...The Sabres have lost six straight for the first time since March 18-27, 2006...Buffalo has netted just 10 goals during its six-game losing streak...Attendance was 15,213.