JIM DIAMOND
Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins handed the Nashville Predators their first loss in regulation with a 3-0 shutout on Saturday.
The Predators were the last NHL team to lose in regulation this season.
Evgeni Malkin and Pascal Dupuis also scored for Pittsburgh, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves for his first shutout of the season and 29th of his career.
Crosby opened the scoring at 6:21 of the first period when he collected the rebound of his own shot at the right post and stuffed it past Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne.
Patric Hornqvist earned the second assist on Crosby’s goal. Pittsburgh acquired Hornqvist and Nick Spaling from Nashville in a draft-day trade in exchange for high-scoring winger James Neal.
Malkin and Dupuis scored power-play goals 3:22 apart early in the third period.
Malkin’s goal came on a give-and-go with Crosby. From above the right circle, Crosby hit Malkin in stride by the left post, where he had an easy re-direct for his third goal of the season, all on the power play.
In the low slot, Dupuis collected the rebound of Steve Downie’s shot and beat Rinne with a backhand. The goal was Dupuis’ 400th career NHL point.
Pittsburgh entered the game with the league’s best power play with a 36.4 percent success rate. They went 2 for 3 with the man advantage against Nashville.
Notes: After playing six of their first eight at home, the Predators head on the road for the next six and seven of eight. … Nashville has allowed the first goal in six of eight games this season. … Fleury is 6-2-1 against Nashville. … Malkin has at least one point in each of Pittsburgh’s seven games this season.
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