Flames Path To The Playoffs

Flames Path To The Playoffs 

After a massive win against the Minnesota Wild last night the Calgary Flames are still alive fighting for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (even if those chances are still on life support). 

With 3 games remaining for the Flames in the 2024-25 season the path to the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference is quite narrow and hinges on the Minnesota Wild and St Louis Blues who are both in action Saturday night. 

Path #1 - Catch the Minnesota Wild
 Credit: Ryan Pike 

With 2 games remaining against the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks, the Minnesota Wild control their own destiny, win both games and they are guaranteed to be in. If they go 1-1 in their final 2 games the Flames would have a chance but would need to win all 3 of their remaining games. If they lose both games the Flames could get in by going 2-1. 

Path #2 - Catch the St Louis Blues 
Credit: Ryan Pike 

Essentially the same scenario as with the Minnesota Wild, the Blues have 2 games remaining against the Seattle Kraken and Utah HC. If they win both they are in the playoffs. Going 1-1 means the Flames can get in by winning their remaining games, while losing both means the Flames can go 2-1 the rest of the way. 

What To Watch For

Currently at 18% the Flames Playoffs chances are slim, however, there is a clear path for them and I think there is a real chance they will at least have a decent shot to make it happen. To start with they need one of the Kraken, Utah, or Canucks to win a game against the Blues or Wild. While all 3 of those teams have had less than stellar seasons and don't have much to play for they are not bottom dwellers so it is not unreasonable to think one of those teams could pull out a win. 

A loss by the Blues or Wild would open the door for the Flames to win out and get in and with games against the Sharks then Golden Knights and Kings who will have playoff positioning locked up and possibly resting players it is possible the Flames could win all 3 particularly if they bring the same effort they showed against the Wild on Friday night. 

The road is certainly not straightforward and is never ideal to have to depend on help to even have a chance but there is still a possibility they could pull this out. 

In the meantime we will be cheering for the Canucks and/or Kraken to pull out a win Saturday night! 


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