Bryan Rust logs 4 points, scores in OT as Pens nip Predators

Bryan Rust scored his second goal of the night 1:07 into overtime to cap a four-point night, Sidney Crosby had a goal with three assists, and the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the host Nashville Predators 5-4 on Thursday.

Rust, who opened the scoring for Pittsburgh, ended it when he snapped a wide-open shot past Nashville's Juuse Saros (15 saves) to give the Penguins their first lead and their eighth win in 11 games (8-2-1). Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson each had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh, which has played three straight overtime contests, winning twice.

Brady Skjei had a goal and an assist for Nashville, which has five points in four games following its 0-5-3 slide.

With game tied 3-3, Nashville went ahead when Ryan O'Reilly's 20-foot saucer pass got to Skjei, who snapped the puck past Pittsburgh netminder Tristan Jarry (22 saves) with 12:16 to go in regulation. However, Pittsburgh answered on Karlsson's slap shot with 8:24 left in regulation.

Nashville opened the scoring 3:51 into the contest. On the transition, Filip Forsberg slid the puck into the slot for Jonathan Marchessault to get by Jarry just 3:51 into the contest.

Pittsburgh didn't record its first shot on goal until Rust's with 6:47 left in the first. But with 3:39 left before the first intermission, Rust pushed in the puck after getting a slot pass from Rakell, who was set up by Crosby.

The Predators regained the lead with 2:03 to go in the first. On the power play, Luke Evangelista was in the right spot to put home a rebound.

Nashville made it 3-1 at 3:40 into the second. With Forsberg helping again, Steven Stamkos smoked a wrister by Jarry. However, the Penguins tied it with two goals within a two-minute span of the second period.

With 12:06 to go in the period, and on the power play, Crosby chipped in Karlsson's shot toward the net for his first goal since Nov. 23.

Just 1:14 later, off a Nashville turnover, Crosby sent the puck over to Rakell, who threw it at the net, where it fluttered past Saros.

--Field Level Media