The Flames have clinched a berth in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs

They’re in.

By virtue of the Edmonton Oilers’ 4-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday afternoon, the Calgary Flames have qualified for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Flames currently have a 45-20-9 record and 99 points in the Pacific Division. They lead the division by five points over Edmonton with two games in hand heading into their Saturday night game with the Arizona Coyotes. Because of the Oilers’ win, Vegas cannot pass the Flames in the standings.

It’s the fifth trip to the playoffs for the Flames in eight seasons under general manager Brad Treliving. The Flames made it past the first round in their first playoffs under Treliving in 2015 (beating Vancouver in six games), but have failed to get out of the first round in three subsequent trips – losing to Anaheim in 2017, Colorado in 2019 and Dallas in 2020. It will be the 31st trip to the post-season in franchise history.

Oddly enough, it’s the third time in three full seasons with Darryl Sutter as head coach of the Flames that they’ve qualified for the playoffs. They did not qualify in the two campaigns (2002-03, 2019-20) where he was hired as a mid-season replacement, but they did qualify in 2003-04, 2005-06 and this season, their only three full seasons with Sutter.

The Flames are guaranteed to finish first, second or third in the Pacific Division. If Los Angeles loses to Columbus or the Flames beat Arizona (both games are on Saturday night), they will clinch second place and guaranteed home ice advantage in the first round. Additionally, any combination of four Flames wins or Edmonton losses will clinch the Pacific Division regular season crown for Calgary.

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