Penguins 3, Predators 1: Defenseman Matt Niskanen completed his first career multi-goal performance with the go-ahead power-play tally at 7:29 of the third period as visiting Pittsburgh spoiled the return of Pekka Rinne.

Chris Kunitz scored his 200th career goal and captain Sidney Crosby notched three assists to increase his league-leading point total to 83 for the Penguins, who snapped a three-game winless streak (0-1-2). Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 18 shots for his NHL-best 32nd victory.

Rinne finished with 16 saves in his first start since Oct. 22 as he addressed an E. Coli infection following hip surgery. Patric Hornqvist scored for the sputtering Predators, who tumbled to their fifth loss in six games (1-3-2).

Moments after Fleury came racing out of his net to deny Paul Gaustad, Crosby turned up ice and gained the offensive zone before feeding Evgeni Malkin. The Russian promptly set up Niskanen, who one-timed a blast from above the left faceoff circle for his career-best ninth goal of the season. Kunitz provided insurance by ripping a one-timer past Rinne with 2:55 remaining.

After Gaustad's apparent goal was disallowed late in the first period due to a distinct kicking motion, Niskanen snapped the scoreless tie 27 seconds into the second by blasting a shot from the right circle inside the near post. Hornqvist answered 12 seconds later by cleaning up a rebound on the doorstep.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Niskanen's previous career-best goal total was seven, set during his rookie season with Dallas in 2007-08. ... Nashville C Nick Spaling notched an assist in his first game since suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 31. ... One day after being placed on waivers, Pittsburgh RW Chuck Kobasew played in his 600th NHL game.