Bunting has 4 points, Predators score late to edge Flames

Michael Bunting had a goal and three assists, including the setup of Nicolas Hague’s go-ahead goal with 29 seconds remaining in the third period, and the Nashville Predators recovered for a 4-3 win against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Saturday.

Hague received a pass from Bunting at the point, and his shot got through traffic and beat Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf.

“It’s never going to be easy for us,” Hague said. “It hasn’t been all year. I think tonight is another example of that. I’m really proud of the group, the way that we just stick together and keep pushing for that next goal.

“They get one late to tie it up, but you don’t feel any discouragement on the bench or any of that going on. That’s going to happen sometimes, and we’ve got to go out there and work for that next one.”

Erik Haula scored twice in the first period for the Predators (19-18-4), who have won six of their past eight. Steven Stamkos had two assists, and Juuse Saros made 20 saves.

“It was a fun game to be a part of,” Bunting said. “Any time when it’s intense like that, physical, a lot of stuff that goes down, it gets you engaged, which makes it a little bit more fun and more meaningful. That’s a huge two points. They’ve been playing really well over there, and we knew that. Coming in here, they’ve been good. This was a huge two points. Keep climbing.”

Blake Coleman scored the tying goal in the third period, and Rasmus Andersson also scored for the Flames (18-19-4), who had won five of their previous six and were 10-1-1 in their previous 12 home games. Matt Coronato had two assists, and Wolf made 32 saves.

“I don’t think it was a great game for us compared to the ones we’ve played over the last little while,” Calgary coach Ryan Huska said. “I only thought we had maybe five guys that were at a level that I think they should have been at. I thought Nashville was much quicker than us for the majority part of the game. Not a great night.”

Coleman tied it 3-3 at 12:49 of the third on a shot from below the right circle that beat Saros through the five-hole.

“We were stubborn all night, and it came back to bite us at one of the biggest times of the game,” Coleman said. “It’s just one of those things where in that situation and that score and where we are, it’s early to be talking standings, but we’ve given ourselves an opportunity to really climb. There’s no excuse for it.”

Yan Kuznetsov gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 1:56 of the first period on a one-timer from the point off a pass from MacKenzie Weegar on a set play off the face-off.

Mikael Backlund appeared to score for Calgary at 6:40, but Nashville successfully challenged for offside and the goal was overturned.

Haula tied it 1-1 at 11:19 on a redirection from the slot on a pass from Bunting.

Haula scored again 1:33 later to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at 12:52 with a wrist shot from the left circle on a 2-on-1 rush.

“We’ve gone through stuff together,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “We’ve stayed together. We’ve never been tighter. This group continues to grow. We’re growing every day. We’re getting better, but we also believe in each other. We’re as tight as a group as I’ve been around.

“It’s pretty evident with [Stamkos] blocking a shot late in the game. For a 600-goal scorer to lay his body on the line in a game in January just speaks volumes of his leadership and his character. We’re in it together.”

Andersson tied it 2-2 at 13:41 on a wrist shot from the right circle that beat Saros on the blocker side.

Bunting then put the Predators back ahead 3-2 at 4:08 of the second period after intercepting Wolf’s pass attempt from behind the net.

NOTES: Bunting recorded his second career four-point game, following Feb. 26, 2022, with the Toronto Maple Leafs (one goal, four assists). … Haula played his 800th NHL game. … Calgary forward John Beecher left the game in the second period because of an upper-body injury after a fight with Hague and did not return. Huska had no update on his status.