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The Flames will play Edmonton or Anaheim in the first round
Photo credit: Sergei Belski / USA Today Sports
After 82 games of battling, the Calgary Flames will sit idly by on Sunday and watch other teams determine who they will face in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. There are two potential first round opponents for the Flames – the Anaheim Ducks or Edmonton Oilers – and a pair of Sunday night games will determine who they face.
The Flames finished the 2016-17 regular season with a 45-33-4 record and 94 points. They’re fourth in the Pacific Division and will finish the year in the first wildcard playoff spot in the Western Conference. They will play the Pacific Division winner, whoever that may be.
At 6:30 p.m. MT (on Sportsnet One), Anaheim will play the Los Angeles Kings. At 7 p.m. MT (on Sportsnet West), Edmonton will play the Vancouver Canucks. Anaheim begins the day two points up on Edmonton for first place.
Here’s what you need to know:
- If Anaheim gets a point of any kind, they’ll finish first and play Calgary regardless of what happens in Edmonton’s game.
- If Anaheim loses in regulation, Edmonton needs a win (of any kind) to take the division on tiebreakers and face Calgary in the first round.
If you desperately want a Battle of Alberta in the first round, cheer for Los Angeles to win in regulation and Edmonton to win.
Breaking News
- What’s Going On In the Playoffs: Avalanche and Wild scored 15 combined goals in Game 1
- FN Report Cards: Hunter Brzustewicz adapted his game to earn and keep time in the NHL
- Flames will lose NHL rights to prospect Hunter Laing if not signed by June 1
- FN Report Cards: John Beecher’s future is murky after an uneven audition
- Most of the Flames’ lowest finishes have turned into draft success