NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Patric Kjellberg became an unlikely hero for the Nashville Predators.

	Penguins goalie Tom Barrasso makes one of his 27 saves.

"He's one of those underrated players," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "Patric's got one of those heavy shots. He's really smart and responsible . . . and he complements Cliff (Ronning) really well."

Ronning set up the game-winner for his 24th point in the last 24 games.

Kjellberg snapped a 2-2 tie with his 14th goal. Kjellberg was alone in the slot when Ronning spotted him from behind the net on the power play.

Pittsburgh has dropped four straight and five of six. The Penguins are a dominating team at home, but only 6-16-1 on the road.

"We have to get better and do the job, right now particularly on the road," Pittsburgh goalie Tom Barrasso said. "We can't just seem to get it done."

Pittsburgh's Jaromir Jagr, the NHL's leading scorer, did not play in the third period because of strained rib cartilage originally sustained Thursday at Colorado. Jagr might be out for one or two games.

Without their star, the Penguins managed just five shots in the final period.

"Definitely it's tough. He is the guy who really carried this team all season long," Pittsburgh forward Alexei Kovalev said. "But we can't really just stop playing."

Nashville killed off two power plays in the final 5:48 to clinch the win.

"We started to play strong defensively and limit their chances," Nashville forward Rob Valicevic said. "If at all possible, we tried to keep the puck in their end. That's always a good defensive strategy."

Pittsburgh overcame a 2-0 first-period deficit with a pair of goals in the second. Defenseman Peter Popovic beat Mike Dunham at 2:36, from just inside the blue line with a soft shot, for his first goal of the season.

Pittsburgh had overcome a 2-0 first-period deficit with a pair of goals in the second. Defenseman Peter Popovic beat Mike Dunham at 2:36 from just inside the blue line with a soft shot, Popovic's first goal of the season.

Jagr tied the game 2-2 with a breakaway goal at 14:03, his league-leading 34th tally.

Valicevic and Tom Fitzgerald scored in the first period for Nashville. Valicevic's 12th of the year came on a 2-on-1 with Randy Robitaille. Fitzgerald connected from the left side off Sebastien Bordeleau's cross-ice pass.

The Penguins were led by assistant coach Ed Johnston, in place of head coach Herb Brooks, who was suspended indefinitely earlier in the day by the NHL.

Brooks was suspended for an altercation he had with Colorado television announcer John Kelly following Thursday night's game.

Prior to Saturday's contest it was announced that the Penguins and Predators would open next season with a pair of games in Japan.