The Calgary Flames have officially been eliminated from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a disappointing end to their season. The team, which had been fighting for a chance at the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, saw their hopes dashed on Tuesday night, April 15, 2025, following a series of unfavorable outcomes.
The Flames needed to win their final two games and rely on the St. Louis Blues or Minnesota Wild to lose in regulation to keep their playoff aspirations alive. However, the evening unfolded unfavorably as the Blues triumphed over the Utah Hockey Club with a decisive 6-1 victory, while the Minnesota Wild edged past the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime. With these results, the Flames found themselves on the outside looking in, marking yet another missed postseason opportunity.
As the Flames hosted the Vegas Golden Knights at the Saddledome, they were aware that their playoff fate was precariously dependent on the outcomes of other games. Flames head coach Ryan Huska expressed a sense of belief within the team despite the dire circumstances. "There’s been belief all year. We’re in the position where we have to ask for a little bit of help to get us to where we need to be. But I don’t feel like I’ve ever seen a day where the team has come in and been like, ‘I don’t know if it’s really going to happen. We wanted it to, but it’s not.’ I’ve never got that sense from them," he said after the morning skate.
Despite their efforts, the Flames have now missed the playoffs four times in the past five seasons and six times in the last decade. This season was marked by a struggle to gain ground in the competitive Pacific Division, where the Flames found themselves unable to separate from the pack.
Looking ahead, the Flames face a crucial offseason where they must prioritize improving their forward group. The current offensive core, led by veterans Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, has not proven to be playoff-caliber. New acquisitions like Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost have struggled to make a significant impact, with Farabee recording just three goals and nine points in 29 games since his trade, and Frost tallying 11 points.
On a more positive note, rookie Matthew Coronato has emerged as a bright spot for the Flames, scoring 24 goals and recording 44 points in his first full NHL season. His performance has provided a glimmer of hope amidst the disappointment.
Defensively, the Flames boast a solid foundation, with players like MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson leading the blue line. The addition of offensive dynamo Zayne Parekh, who is expected to join the team full-time next season, could further bolster the Flames' defense. Meanwhile, starting goalie Dustin Wolf has made significant strides in his development, securing the starting job for the foreseeable future. In 52 games this season, Wolf has posted a record of 28-16-8, with three shutouts, a 2.62 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage. His impressive performance has placed him in contention for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie.
As the Flames prepare to close out their season with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, April 17, 2025, there remains a sense of optimism for the future. The emergence of young talent like Coronato and Wolf, along with the potential for roster improvements this offseason, could set the stage for a more competitive team next year.
On the night of their elimination, the Flames faced a Golden Knights team that had already clinched the top spot in the Pacific Division. This meant that the Golden Knights were resting some of their key players, including Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Alex Pietrangelo, and Mark Stone, while usual starting goalie Adin Hill served as backup. The Golden Knights had already triumphed in three previous encounters against the Flames this season, outscoring them 11-2 in their last three matchups.
In a twist of fate, Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich, who recently switched up his pre-game meal to salmon and risotto, found success on the ice with four goals in a three-game span, including the game-winner against the Sharks, which marked his 100th career NHL goal.
As the Flames reflect on a season filled with ups and downs, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the offseason, where the front office will assess the roster and seek to make necessary changes. With a mix of veteran leadership and promising young talent, the Flames will aim to return to playoff contention in the 2025-26 season.
