Predators 3, Sabres 0: Pekka Rinne posted his fourth shutout of the season as Nashville put an end to its five-game slide at home.

Taylor Beck, Craig Smith and Mike Fisher scored for the Predators, who won for just the third time in 12 overall games to pull even with St. Louis atop the Central Division. Defenseman Ryan Ellis and Matt Cullen each recorded two assists while Rinne made 24 saves en route to his 36th career blanking.

Matt Hackett was superb in a losing effort, turning aside 40 shots in his first start since March 7. Buffalo went 0-for-4 on the power play as it was shut out for the 12th time this season.

After a scoreless first period, Nashville got on the board during a power play in the second. Captain Shea Weber unleashed a one-timer from the left point that Beck tipped past Hackett from the bottom of the slot with 5:08 remaining for his seventh of the season.

Smith doubled the lead 5:49 into the third, burying a rebound from the low slot after Hackett stopped Ellis' blast from the right faceoff circle. Fisher sealed the win with five minutes left as he beat Hackett to the short side from the slot after receiving a feed from near the right post by Viktor Stalberg.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Smith's goal was his team-leading 23rd of the campaign, one shy of his career high set last season. ... Rinne preserved the shutout by denying Buffalo C Tyler Ennis on a breakaway with 1 1/2 minutes remaining in the third period. ... The Predators outshot the Sabres 30-13 over the first 40 minutes. ... D Zach Bogosian (lower body) missed his fifth consecutive game for Buffalo, which has lost nine of its last 10 contests. ... Nashville LW Viktor Arvidsson made his NHL debut, registering three shots in 12:52 of ice time. ... The Predators tied a franchise record with their 25th sellout of the season.