At a pretty fullish Sky Dome with the Panthers fans filling up two blocks, Coventry were ahead after 38 seconds when Joe Henry scored assisted by Weaver and Stewart.
At 2.47, it was 2-0 as Greg Chambers skated from his own half to score.
The Blaze fans thought the floodgates would open especially after the excellent result last night at Champions Sheffield Steelers, but Nottingham fought back.
On 17.25, Richardson reduced the arrears and fifty seconds of playing time later, Galbraith had fired home the equaliser.
In the second period and in a game that will be shown on Sky Sports Extra on Friday, Nottingham took the lead thanks to Neilson finding the net on 39.24 assisted by Richardson.
There were no further goals until the third period and it was the visitors who were singing when McAslan scored assisted by Galbraith on 53.03.
The Blaze pulled one back through Adam Calder, assisted by Weaver and Chambers on 58.07 but with Man Of The Match and net minder Hirsch pulled, Nottingham added a fifth through Galbraith a minute later to win the match.
Next Saturday, the Blaze face Nottingham again, this time in Nottingham for an Elite League fixture.