Somehow, some way, the Calgary Flames are not only in the playoff picture but are actually in the mix for a Pacific Division playoff spot. Few people, if any, had the Flames anywhere near the playoffs at the start of the season, but on the back of magnificent goaltending from Dustin Wolf, this team looks like it will play some hockey in late April this season and potentially beyond.
The Western Conference is starting to clear up, particularly in the Central Division. The Winnipeg Jets are at 79 points, the Dallas Stars are at 69 points and the Minnesota Wild are at 66 points. Outside are the Colorado Avalanche, who sit at 64 points, but the next closest team is the St. Louis Blues, a ways back at 53 points. There will almost certainly be just the top four teams in the Central.
On the Pacific side, the top two teams, the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are at 70 and 68 points respectively, while the Los Angeles Kings are at 60 points, one ahead of the Flames at 59, but have two games in hand. The Vancouver Canucks are at 57 points but with the same number of games played as the Flames.
Looking holistically, six teams seem to be locks for the playoffs, with the four teams in the Central, Vegas, and Edmonton virtual locks for the playoffs, with two of Vancouver, Calgary, and Los Angeles taking the last two spots. Assuming the Flames are one of those two teams, here’s who they may play.
If the Flames finish in the second wild card spot
It’s not impossible that the Flames could be in the top wild card spot, sitting five points back of the Colorado Avalanche with two games in hand. However, assuming Calgary stays put in the second spot, the Flames would play against the top team in the West, the Winnipeg Jets.
This would be a goaltending battle for the ages, with Dustin Wolf facing off against Connor Hellebuyck. However, the Flames haven’t fared so well against the Jets this season, going 1–2–0 in their three games. Wolf was in net for two of the three games, stopping 64 of 68, including a 38-save performance in the team’s 3–1 win on January 18.
In the three games, the Flames got scoring from up and down the lineup, with only Nazem Kadri scoring two goals in those games. However, the Jets seem to have the Flames’ number, with Gabriel Villardi, Kyle Connor, and Mason Appleton recording two goals.
This is not a matchup the Flames are likely to fare well in. The Jets are an exceptional team, with depth in their forward and their defence, as well as the best goaltender in the league this season. The Flames would be wise to try to avoid finishing in this position.
If the Flames finish third in the Pacific Division
Here’s where things get really interesting. If the Flames finish in the third Pacific Division place, they will face one of the Vegas Golden Knights or Edmonton Oilers. Both series would make for excellent television, but both would be tough games for the Flames.
This has been a forgettable year for the Flames against Vegas. Not only are they 0–2–0, they have been shut out in both contests. On top of that, the Flames are 2–9–2 lifetime at T-Mobile Arena. They would be the lower seed, and would thus start on the road in Vegas, which doesn’t bode well at all.
Vegas is the new team for former Flames Noah Hanifin and Cole Schwindt, as well as a few players they notably missed out on including Jack Eichel and Mark Stone.
The Flames don’t match up well against Vegas and have never matched up well against Vegas. The prayer is that Vegas will finish first in the Pacific if the Flames finish third.
A Battle of Alberta in the making
The hope honestly is that the Flames get to play Edmonton in the first round. While playing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is never advisable, the Oilers are not as deep as they may think nor do they have the defensive depth that many think they do. Evan Bouchard has struggled heavily this year, and the balance of their blueline leaves a lot to be desired, particularly in their own zone. Thow in Stuart Skinner in net and the Flames have a chance against the Oilers.
Now this relies on the Flames getting scoring from their lineup, but assuming Connor Zary is back healthy on schedule and the team can get scoring from their newly acquired players in Morgan Frost and Jack Farabee, the Flames have a chance here.
The big factor in all of this will be elite play from Dustin Wolf, who has yet to play in the team’s two games against the Oilers this season. Not only that, Wolf has not faced the Oilers in either of the two preseason games. This may give the Flames an advantage, with the Oilers not having seen him in the opposing crease and not having the book as well developed on the Flames’ young goalie.
Who should the Flames hope to play in the first round of the playoffs?
Without a doubt, the Flames will have the best shot against the Oilers. Vegas is not going to be good for the Flames at all, and playing the Western Conference-leading Jets is not an easy task.
The Flames should hope that they face off against the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. They are far and away the best option for the Flames and the one team they likely have a decent shot against. With the depth they have acquired so far plus the depth on defence and Wolf in net, Edmonton is the best option for the Flames.
On top of that, the Battle of Alberta is the best rivalry in the NHL, and a playoff Battle of Alberta will be unbelievable to watch as fans. This is what we should all hope for.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
