Predators stymie Pens

On Friday night, the Nashville Predators were in Pittsburgh and defeated the Penguins, 3-1.

The Predators improved to 44-28-6 and are now tied with the Winnipeg Jetsfor the top spot in the Central Division.

“I thought we started really well,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “We were really good 5-on-5. I thought special teams did a really good job, just in the sense that we were able to keep them off the board on the power play. … I thought 5-on-5 we were pretty good. It was a good hockey game.”

The Pens had a chance to gain some points on the idle Metro Division leaders but failed.

They trail the Washington Capitals by five points for the lead and two points from the New York Islanders  in second place in the division.

“I thought we battled hard,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We had a lot of quality scoring chances, especially in the first period. I thought we had some really good chances in the first period. … Usually when we get those kind of looks we score. We come out after those first 20 minutes down a goal, but that’s the game. You can’t always control whether it goes in the net.”

Pekka Rinne made 42 saves for the win.

“[The Penguins are] obviously one of the top teams,” Rinne said. “It’s a good game to have for us at this point of the season. There’s only [four] games left before the playoffs. I feel like every game from now on is going to be like this. It’s going to be very tight and playoff-like.”

Nick Bjugstad spoiled the shutout bid with just over a minute left in the game.

Craig Smith, P.K. Subban and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Preds.

“I think we started really good in the first eight to 10 minutes and it’s a hard building to come play,” Arvidsson said. “They’re confident here. They’ve won a lot in here, so I think we played them well. They’re a good team. They’re going to get chances, but I think we played a great game.”

[WATCH: All Predators vs. Penguins highlights]

Matt Murray made 23 saves in the loss.

“I think we did some things to give ourselves a chance to win, but we didn’t finish,” Sidney Crosby said. “Special teams ends up being a big difference. Got some power-play looks we didn’t take advantage of, and then they take advantage on theirs, so it’s tight hockey, especially against them this time of year. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get that lead. Maybe things are different if we score in that first period and open it up a bit.”