Penguins vs. Predators: 3 things you need to know

Two early-season head-scratchers spearhead Saturday's NHL action with the red-hot Nashville Predators taking on the middling Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Predators grabbed a three-point lead in the Central Division and vaulted into a tie atop the Western Conference with a statement win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. The Penguins, meanwhile, blew a two-goal lead with the Detroit Red Wings' net empty, and lost their second straight game in overtime. 

Here are three things you need to know: 

Sweater swap

Fuelling anticipation heading into Saturday's contest is Patric Hornqvist and James Neal lining up against their former clubs. The pair of streaking top-six forwards swapped sweaters in an offseason trade, and are having immediate success with their new teams. 

Hornqvist leads the league in shots with 34, and has scored four goals and added four assists in six games with Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Neal had a bit of a slow start in Nashville, with just one goal in his first five games. Though, he has scored four goals over his last two games, including a hat trick against the Blackhawks. 

It will be Hornqvist, who spent parts of six season with the Predators, heading back to his old barn, where he scored 106 goals - fifth-most all-time. 

Rinne return keys point streak

At this time last season, an infection following offseason hip injury had Pekka Rinne's career in doubt. Today, his six starts have produced 11 points for the Predators, who are the only team still undefeated in regulation. 

Leading the league in time on ice, Rinne has recaptured the elite play that once earned him two Vezina trophy nominations with a sterling 1.62 goals against average and .939 save percentage. 

Crosby effect

The Penguins opened the season with a 3-1-0 record on the strength of four goals and nine points from the game's best player, Sidney Crosby. Since then, Crosby has failed to mark up the scoresheet, and the Penguins have dropped three points over the last two games

This is a pattern all too familiar for Penguins fans. Dating back to last year's regular season and playoffs, the team is 5-22-3 in the 30 games where the captain has failed to record a point.