The Nashville Predators snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday, and they have Michael Bunting to thank for it. The forward exploded for three points in the first period, propelling Nashville to a much-needed 4-2 victory over the struggling Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena.

It was a performance that got the home crowd roaring and put the game out of reach early. The Predators, who have had their share of offensive struggles this season, looked like a completely different team, and Bunting was the spark plug.

Nashville Predators Ride Bunting’s Hot Hand

The first period was all Nashville, and more specifically, all Michael Bunting.

The action started at the 10:29 mark. Bunting, setting up shop in front of the net, expertly redirected a Spencer Stastney shot from the circle to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. It was a classic gritty goal, the kind of play that energizes a whole bench.

But they weren’t done. Just 49 seconds later, Bunting was back at it, this time playing the role of playmaker. He fed a perfect pass to rookie Matthew Wood, who ripped a wrist shot past Flames goalie Dustin Wolf to make it 2-0. For Wood, the 2023 first-round pick, it was his first multipoint game in the NHL, a milestone moment delivered by Bunting’s vision.

The onslaught continued on the power play. With the Predators on a 3-on-2 rush, Bunting dished the puck to Jonathan Marchessault, who deked in front of the net and beat Wolf for a 3-0 lead at 14:17. The three-goal eruption was a rare sight for Nashville fans this season and forced Calgary to make a change in net, pulling Wolf for Devin Cooley after the first period.

Flames’ Late Push Falls Short

Calgary didn’t go down without a fight. After a scoreless, penalty-filled second period, the Flames finally found their legs in the third.

Jonathan Huberdeau got Calgary on the board at 4:39, stuffing in a rebound to cut the lead to 3-1. The goal seemed to give the Flames a jolt of life, and they kept pressing.

With just over eight minutes left, Joel Farabee made it a one-goal game, blasting a one-timer past Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros off a feed from Nazem Kadri. Suddenly, the comfortable lead felt a lot less certain, and the tension in Bridgestone Arena was palpable.

However, Saros and the Nashville Predators’ defense stood tall. They weathered the late storm, and Filip Forsberg sealed the deal with an empty-net goal in the final minute, securing the 4-2 win. Saros was stellar, making 33 saves to earn his fifth win of the season.

It was a crucial victory for the Nashville Predators, who needed to stop the bleeding after dropping three straight. While the late-game drama was more than they bargained for, the first-period offensive clinic, led by Bunting’s masterful performance, was exactly what the doctor ordered. The team now looks to carry this momentum forward as they prepare to host the Dallas Stars.

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