NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Nashville Predators are starting to see why they signed Nick Bonino as a free agent.
Bonino had his first multi-point game since joining the team this season, and the Predators beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Saturday night for their fifth straight victory.
After signing with Nashville last summer, Bonino had surgery on the foot he broke while playing for Pittsburgh against the Predators during last year’s Stanley Cup Final. Since getting healthy, he’s been working his way in with the Western Conference champions.
“His game has picked up in the last few,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. “Probably more ice time by me, too, helps him with confidence. I thought tonight he was really strong, his head was up and he made great plays. That line to me was dynamic offensively. When he was out there, you felt like something good might happen.”
Bonino’s line produced three of Nashville’s four goals. Kevin Fiala scored twice, and Bonino had a goal and two assists. Calle Jarnkrok had three assists for the first time in his career.