Coyotes’ Michael Bunting gets first career hat trick in win over Kings

It was a night Arizona Coyotes left wing Michael Bunting would never forget.

Entering his ninth career start on Monday, Bunting netted his first career hat trick in a 5-2 Coyotes victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

“I felt good,” Bunting said. “The more and more games I get in the more comfortable I can be with my game. I felt it tonight, I felt the puck was on my stick and I was moving it well.”

Bunting got Arizona rolling early on against the Kings as he scored the first two goals of the game during the first period.

“It’s always nice to get that first goal,” Bunting said. “I think any player will agree once you get a quick goal your game elevates that much and your confidence comes. So I think after that first one I calmed down a bit and let my game take over instead of worrying about everything else.”

The 25-year-old left wing came into Monday’s contest with just one goal on the season while appearing in three games for the Coyotes.

“I’ve been here for a short time,” the left wing said. “But you can tell this group in there is close and they like having fun so when that’s the case, it’s much easier to play. And success falls when the guys are having fun together.”

During a power play in second period, the left wing saw his opportunity and got his third goal of the game putting the Coyotes up 4-1, with 11:12 left in the period.

The wait is finally over, #Yotes fans.

Almost 24 long hours later, we have a hat trick! 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/pBjKRAkhKl

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 6, 2021

The previous night in Anaheim, Jakob Chychrun also got a hat trick of his own in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Ducks.

It was the first combined consecutive hat tricks for Arizona since 2000-01 when Vernon Fiddler and Ray Whitney did so on Nov. 12 and 13, respectively.

Arizona will look to win their fourth straight game on Wednesday against the Kings at 7 p.m.