Wolf makes 29 saves, Flames shut out Predators

CALGARY -- Dustin Wolf made 29 saves to lead the Calgary Flames to a 2-0 win against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday.

The shutout was Wolf's first in the NHL. The 23-year-old, who was selected in the seventh round (No. 214) of the 2019 NHL Draft, has made 25 career starts, including nine of Calgary's 18 games this season.

“It feels good. The monkey is off the back now," Wolf said. “It just felt good to get it done.”

Daniil Miromanov and Blake Coleman scored for the Flames (9-6-3), who have won two of three and have earned a point in five of six (3-1-2).

"We stuck with it," Calgary defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said. "We knew they were on a back-to-back (3-2 overtime loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday). It wasn't going to be easy. They're obviously going through some ups and downs as a team. We knew they were going to come and grind one out. We just stuck to our game."

Juuse Saros made 31 saves for the Predators (5-10-3), who have lost six of seven (1-4-2).

"I mean, it's obviously a tough loss," Nashville captain Roman Josi said. "Tight game going into the third (period). I don't know. We're kind of, I feel like, hoping to win right now. We're not really going out there and attacking the game, getting a win, we're just kind of hoping and see what happens."

Miromanov gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 6:38 of the third period. After Nazem Kadri won the offensive-zone face-off, Miromanov skated down from the right point and took a pass from Weegar before beating Saros short side over his left shoulder with a snap shot.

It was his first goal since April 4 (23 games).

"We kind of got them a little bit messed up there and 'Weegsy' threaded the needle," Miromanov said. "In their D-zone they were putting a winger on the wall so we were talking all night that we just need to win the face-off and the 'D' has to walk the blue for the lane. I kind of had a vision there. ... I was thinking on the face-off and I looked at 'Naz' and I said to myself if he wins this draw we're going to score. That sounds crazy, but that's exactly what happened."

Coleman scored into an empty net at 18:51 for the 2-0 final.

"I'm happy for 'Wolfie,'" Weegar said. "Big shutout for him. First one. Many more for him to come, for sure."

Saros and Wolf kept each side at bay through the first 40 minutes of the game.

Wolf made a pad save on Cole Smith's short-handed breakaway at 11:00 of the first period, and sprawled to deny Steven Stamkos' rebound attempt at the right edge of the crease at 7:27 of the second period.

"I like his game," Saros said. "He had big saves today. I remember when I saw him for the first time playing world juniors. I've always liked how he plays the game. I'm happy for him that he's been able to take that next step and he's playing really well in this league."

Jonathan Huberdeau hit the crossbar on a 2-on-1 at 9:03, and Saros denied another chance from Huberdeau as the Predators killed a 5-on-3 for 1:56 late in the period.

“He’s a heck of a goaltender over there and he’s been a fun guy to watch over the last few years, and obviously I’m still going to keep a close eye on him," Wolf said. "He’s certainly one of the best in the League, and I think there’s definitely things I can continue to take from him.”

NOTES: Wolf is 5-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in six home starts this season. ... Wolf is the third California-born goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout, joining Thatcher Demko (8) and John Blue (1). ... Calgary has 25 third-period goals this season, fifth-most in the League. ... Saros is 2-3-1 with a 1.84 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in six November starts. ... Josi had a four-game point streak end (five assists).