A brief history of the Flames clinching playoff spots

In an alternate universe, today would be the final day of the 2019-20 National Hockey League’s regular season. Based on our NHL 20 simulations – and the work done by our pals over at The Athletic – it seems likely that the Calgary Flames would be using Game 82 tonight as a post-season tune-up, as they’d have their ticket punched for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In the Lockout Era, the Flames have typically clinched spots with just a handful of games to go. Here’s a brief history of how the Flames have punched their tickets.

In their first season after almost winning the Stanley Cup, the Flames took until Game 78 (on April 8) to clinch a playoff spot. In oddly appropriate fashion, they clinched with a loss – an overtime setback to the Vancouver Canucks allowed them to punch their ticket. They were down 2-0 with 10 minutes left in regulation and managed to tie the game to get the point. They went 2-1-1 in their final four games, but lost in seven games to Anaheim in the first round.

In 2007, the Flames needed until the second-last game of the season (Game 81 on April 7) to clinch. They did so losing their third game in a row, dropping a 3-2 home game to Edmonton. But Colorado also lost that night, allowing the Flames to back-door into the playoffs. Colorado beat them in Game 82 a couple nights later, then the Flames lost to Detroit in the first round in six games.

In 2008, the Flames also back-doored into the playoffs. Again, they lost Game 81 (on April 4) to Minnesota, but Vancouver also lost that night which allowed them to clinch. They trounced Vancouver 7-1 in Game 82, then lost to San Jose in seven games in the first round.

In 2009, the Flames booted the door down. They beat Dallas on the road on April 2 (Game 77) to clinch. Then they went 2-3-0 over their last five outings, followed by six game setback to Chicago in the first round.

The 2014-15 Flames were a scrappy bunch. They made the post-season by winning their third game in a row, grinding out a 3-1 home win over Los Angeles on April 9 (Game 81) to punch their ticket. They lost the last game of the season to Winnipeg, but they were sitting a bunch of regulars. They beat Vancouver in six games in the first round – their first time advancing past the first round since 2004 – before losing to Anaheim in the next round.

In 2017, the Flames needed to swings to clinch. After losing at home to the Kings two days prior, the Flames beat San Jose 5-1 at home on March 31 (Game 78) to clinch a playoff spot. Things peaked for them there, though, as they lost three of their final four regular season games and then lost to Anaheim in four games in the first round.

The 2018-19 Flames were a powerhouse, which makes it somewhat ironic that they clinched a playoff spot with a loss. They lost to Winnipeg 2-1 at home on March 16 (Game 72). The next evening, Minnesota lost and so the Flames clinched a spot anyway. The Flames went 6-4-0 in their remaining 10 games, then lost to Colorado in five games in the first round.