PITTSBURGH — The resurfacing of Stanley Cup Final disappointment made for a convenient storyline when the Predators returned to Pittsburgh on Saturday. But there were more urgent issues to tackle than the pursuit of payback.

A forgettable first game required immediate improvement against the Penguins. The Predators' effort was marginally better Saturday in a 4-0 loss, extending what has been a discouraging start to their season.

"Hard to say that when you're losing 3-0 (in the second period) that it's a better effort, but for me it was a step in the right direction to play a game that we need to play," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "But we've still got a long way to go with that, too."

Here are three observations from Saturday's game:

No offense, plenty of physicality

Predators players harshly critiqued their season-opening performance Thursday, one in which they were largely uncompetitive against the Boston Bruins. Saturday's may have been better simply because Nashville had a low bar to clear.

Even-strength offense has been nonexistent; Nashville has one goal in two games. The Predators, however, had 18 scoring chances Saturday after having 10 on Thursday, according to naturalstattrick.com.

The lingering hostilities from last season ramped up as Pittsburgh expanded its lead. The teams combined for 64 penalty minutes in the third period.

Penguins forward Ryan Reaves, who regularly agitated the Predators as a member of the St. Louis Blues, had 24 penalty minute Saturday, but also scored.

Saros steps in with first start

Pekka Rinne's troubles in Pittsburgh are well known. He lost each of his three starts at PPG Paints Arena during the Stanley Cup Final with a combined .755 save percentage and is winless in six career overall appearances in Pittsburgh.

Rinne's inauspicious record remained intact because Juuse Saros made his first start Saturday. The first shot Saros faced — a one-timer from Penguins center Evgeni Malkin from the high slot — beat him 66 seconds into the first period. Saros settled and made some strong saves, but allowed four goals on 34 shots.

Penguins goaltender Matt Murray has shut out the Predators in three consecutive games when including the last two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

Predators shuffle lineup

The Predators made changes to their forward lines and defensive pairs Saturday.

With forward Kevin Fiala considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Pontus Aberg made his season debut in Fiala's place. Calle Jarnkrok centered the second line, bumping center Nick Bonino to the third line. Defenseman Anthony Bitetto replaced Alexei Emelin on the third pair with Yannick Weber.

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

NEXT GAME

PREDATORS vs. FLYERS

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM