Crosby, Penguins to host the Predators

Nashville Predators (43-28-6, second in the Central Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (42-24-11, third in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh into a matchup with Nashville. He ranks seventh in the league with 94 points, scoring 33 goals and totaling 61 assists.

The Penguins are 21-13-3 at home. Pittsburgh is fourth in the Eastern Conference averaging 3.4 goals per game, led by Jake Guentzel with 38.

The Predators are 20-15-4 on the road. Nashville has scored 31 power-play goals, converting on 12.7 percent of chances. In their last meeting on March 21, Pittsburgh won 2-1.

TOP PERFORMERS: Guentzel leads the Penguins with 38 goals, adding 33 assists and collecting 71 points. Phil Kessel has totaled eight assists over the last 10 games for Pittsburgh.

LAST 10 GAMES: Predators: 6-3-1, averaging 2.3 goals, 3.6 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game with a .923 save percentage.

Penguins: 6-2-2, averaging 2.8 goals, 4.3 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game with a .935 save percentage.

Penguins Injuries: Zachary Aston-Reese: out (lower body), Chad Ruhwedel: out (upper body), Kris Letang: day to day (upper body).

Predators Injuries: Rocco Grimaldi: day to day (upper body).