The Nashville Predators (9-13-4) played one of their best games of the season on Tuesday, beating the Calgary Flames (9-15-4) 5-0. Goaltender Juuse Saros nearly had his first shutout of the season in net, stopping 27 of 28 shots, as the Predators used three goals in the second period to run away with a much-needed victory.
Summary of the game
The first period featured a Predator scoring his first career goal. At 6:24 of the first round, left winger Reid Schaefer, who made his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 28, deflected a Fedor Svechkov shot from close range. Nashville led 1-0 in the first period, but the Flames were certainly still in the game.
That was until second period came around. The Predators scored three goals: one from Steven Stamkos in a two-on-one at 5:04, one from Jonathan Marchessault on the left point at 14:25 and one from Ozzy Wiesblatt from close range at 15:32. It was also Wiesblatt’s first goal, and he pointed to the sky, pay tribute to his late brother Orca, who died in a car accident on September 14.
In the third period there were goals between both teams. Nashville made it 5–0 off a Michael Bunting rebound at 2:59, but at 12:30, Nashville defenseman Nicholas Haag was assessed a minor penalty for roughing, giving Calgary an opportunity to attack on the power play. They took advantage, with Morgan Frost burying it from the slot after an incredibly good find from Nazem Kadri at 13:39. Unfortunately, the Flames could no longer generate offensive momentum and the final score remained at 5-1.
Keys to victory
The Predators’ fourth line of Bunting, Wiesblatt and Tyson Jost was phenomenal. Both Bunting and Wiesblatt scored a goal, while Jost had an assist. The Predators’ top pair was rejuvenated when Roman Josi returned from his upper body injury on November 22. He earned an assist, and his partner Nicolas Haag also had two assists.
Related: Predators’ Roman Josi: From under-the-radar prospect to franchise record holder
That’s why, even though the Flames had more shot attempts (29-28), faceoff wins (33/23), and hits (24-18), the Predators won the game. Saros also came close to his first shutout of the season, saving 27 of 28 shots, while backup Flames goalie Devin Cooley stopped just 12 of his 16 shots. He was replaced midway through the game by starter Dustin Wolf, with Wolf making 11 of 12 saves.
Nashville and Calgary are now tied for the worst point totals in the Western Conference and six points shy of a playoff spot (the Seattle Kraken hold the final wild card spot), but this was a much-needed win for a Predators team that has won three of their last four games. The Flames, meanwhile, have regressed after a three-game winning streak, losing three of their last four games.
Schedule
The Predators travel to play the Florida Panthers (December 4) and Carolina Hurricanes (December 6) before returning home against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, December 9. The Flames begin a four-game homestand against the Minnesota Wild (December 4), Utah Mammoth (December 6), Buffalo Sabers (December 8) and Detroit Red Wings (December 10).
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