With seven games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Calgary Flames are still hanging around the playoff picture – somewhat improbably, according to the hockey establishment.

One of the reasons for how they’re maintaining their spot in the playoff pace has been how well their lineup has worked since the 4 Nations Face-Off break. If you’ve followed the lines we include in our Flames Game Day posts, or the lineup tweets from folks like Sportsnet’s Pat Steinberg or Derek Wills, you’ve probably noticed that aside from swapping goalies, there haven’t been many lineup tweaks for awhile.

Part of the reasoning for that is pretty simple: the lines and pairings they’ve been using have been working quite well.

Via Natural Stat Trick, here’s the usage and underlying numbers at five-on-five for the Flames’ current groupings (time on ice, expected goals percentage, and the percentage of their face-offs that are in the offensive zone):

Speaking after morning skate on Saturday morning, head coach Ryan Huska discussed the club’s recent forward lines.

“For the most part, these four lines that we’ve got going right now have probably been our best grouping of lines that we’ve had all year,” said Huska. “I think all the lines have been at times dangerous offensively, yet they’ve been fairly responsible the other side of the puck as well. So whether you’re putting Roons’ line out, there’s a chance they can generate for you, but we know they’re still going to work hard. And it’s the same for Naz or Frosty’s line or Mikael’s line. Right now, we’re pleased with, I guess, the connection that we have on all four of our lines.”

Asked when things seemed to snap into place for the forward lines, Huska pointed to Klapka’s play. Klapka has played in each of the past 11 games, first getting into the lineup on Mar. 14 against Colorado, and he’s found a great niche on the fourth line.

“You know, I think maybe now that we’ve got Adam going a little bit more,” said Huska. “I think he’s brought a presence back to our fourth line. That might be something where he just kind of fits in that role right now, but we still have the option to elevate him when his game is on. And I think that sometimes helps put a little pressure on guys above him.”

Winger Ryan Lomberg, a fixture on the fourth line all season, discussed what the trio has been doing well lately.

“You know, we’ve been doing a lot of good things,” said Lomberg. “I think we’re starting to get some good bounces in our favour. But for us, it’s more so about how we’re playing, how we’re forechecking, being physical and trying to impact the game and change the way the other team plays a little bit.”

If the Flames are going to force their way into a playoff spot, they’re going to continue to need contributions from every part of their lineup. They will continue their quest for a playoff berth when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.