The Pittsburgh Penguins needed a big win and got it against the Nashville Predators.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins were entering their final home game of the season with another crucial test ahead. It was win or go home, as a regulation loss to the Nashville Predators would eliminate the Penguins from playoff contention.

With Alex Nedeljkovic in net for the 12^th straight game, the Penguins needed to bring everything they had. The Predators aren’t far removed from a 16-0-2 run and weren’t taking the night off.

First Period

One of the biggest storylines of the Penguins season has been their abhorrent power play, but it looked to be a difference-maker early in this contest. On their first power play chance of the night, Michael Bunting appeared to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead with a tremendous between-the-legs goal in the crease.

The Predators challenged the goal, however, believing Bunting was too far in the crease. Officials agreed, taking the goal off the board. Despite losing their first goal, the Penguins wasted no time getting it right back.

Still on the same power play chance, a shot from Bunting squeaked through Juuse Saros and sat in the crease. Sidney Crosby dove to the front from behind the net before any Predators could get to it, giving the Penguins a real 1-0 lead.

The story of the Penguins’ opening frame was getting bodies to the crease and screening Saros as much as possible. Screens and a bullet from Erik Karlsson helped give the Penguins a 2-0 lead with about six minutes left in the period.

In the final few minutes, the Penguins thought they had made it a 3-0 game on a shot from Kris Letang, but it was once again called back for goalie interference.

Despite beating Saros on four separate occasions, the Penguins entered the first intermission with a 2-0 lead and dominated in shots 20-5.

Second Period

If the Penguins dominated the first period, the Predators had answers to start the second. The Penguins only picked up one shot through the first few minutes, and the Predators took advantage. A scramble around Nedeljkovic left the puck loose as he was way out of his crease, and Gustav Nyquist cleaned up the garbage.

Still ahead by one, the Penguins made sure to get back on their game. Reilly Smith entered the night riding a goal drought. A great shift by him finished with him breaking through with a perfectly placed shot, giving the Penguins a 3-1 lead.

In the dying minutes of the second period, the Predators kept their foot on the pedal as leading goal-scorer Filip Forsberg added to his franchise record.

The Penguins only managed eight shots on goal in the middle period but held a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.

Third Period

The Penguins entered the final frame needing a big 20 minutes as the out of town scoreboard wasn't completely leaning in their favor. Heading into their final periods, the Detroit Red Wings were losing, but the Washington Capitals had a slim lead.

With that in mind, the Penguins got kicked off the final frame on the right foot. A huge shift from the fourth line was capitalized when Karlsson made a great passing play to Emil Bemstrom who finished the one-timer.

The score held steady for a good chunk of the final frame with both goalies stopping everything they saw. With the clock winding down, the Predators pulled their goalie for the extra attacker.

Despite nearly three minutes of an extra attacker, the Penguins could find the empty net. They did, however, hold on to maintain a 4-2 score and seal a crucial win.

The Penguins kept their playoff hopes alive for another day.

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