The Calgary Flames are going to need some help.
It’s crunch time of the season, and if the Flames wish to make the post-season, they have to go on an incredible run to finish the season. This is the wild card recap, where we look at how the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Minnesota Wild have done after busy days.
Let’s take a look at what has happened since Sunday!

Flames split their two games

Since Sunday, the Calgary Flames have played two games, defeating the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout before falling 3-1 to the Utah Hockey Club.
Late in the first period, the Avalanche took the lead thanks to Cale Makar’s goal. Eight minutes into the second, they jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to Logan O’Connor’s 10th of the season. Heading into the third period, the Flames needed to find a way to come back.
Of course they did. Ryan Lomberg scored his second of the season with about nine minutes left. Less than a minute later, Adam Klapka scored his third of the season to tie the game at two. Daniel Vladař saved all three shots in the shootout, Yegor Sharangovich scored the only goal, and the Flames’ playoff hopes remained alive.
Sadly, those playoff hopes took a hit on Tuesday, as they fell 3-1 to the Utah Hockey Club. Late in the first, Kevin Stenlund opened the scoring, and the Hockey Club added another one early in the second period. However, before the second goal, it looked as if the Flames scored as the puck crossed the line, which would’ve tied the game. Although Rasmus Andersson scored with seven minutes left in the second, the Flames were unable to score the game-tying goal. The Hockey Club iced it with an empty-netter.
On Thursday, the Flames return home to host the Anaheim Ducks in what is a must-win game if they want any chance to make the post-season.

Canucks haven’t played since Sunday

The Vancouver Canucks played on Sunday, falling 3-1 to the Winnipeg Jets. However, that was covered in the last wild card recap.
Up next for the Canucks is a match-up against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday at 8:30 PM MT.

Blues scored a late goal to send it to overtime

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Blues hosted the Detroit Red Wings, another team fighting for their playoff lives.
Just over five minutes into the third period, J.T. Compher scored to give the Wings a lead. Down to the final minute, the Blues’ Jordan Kyrou found the game-tying goal with 29 seconds left to send the game to overtime. In overtime, Cam Fowler scored with 1:33 remaining to give the Blues their tenth consecutive win.
The Blues have another easy match-up on Thursday, as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Wild fell in a shootout

Realistically, the team that the Flames are chasing now is the Minnesota Wild. On Monday, they fell 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout.
Defenceman Luke Hughes opened the scoring 12:30 into the first period, and the score stood that way until the third. Early in the third, Vinnie Hinostroza scored his fifth of the season to tie the game, but the Devils restored their lead thanks to Nico Hischier’s goal midway through the third. With just over two minutes left in the game, Matt Boldy scored to send the game to overtime, where the Devils won in the shootout.
Next up for the Wild is a match-up against the New York Rangers on Wednesday.

How the standings look

The Calgary Flames’ post-season hopes are looking bleak. Their elimination number is down to five games, either five wins for the Minnesota Wild or five losses for the Flames, or a combination of either.
In 76 games played, the St. Louis Blues have 89 points. Of any team the Flames are chasing, they have the toughest strength of schedule, with match-ups against the Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, and Edmonton Oilers. The Flames also have two games in hand, but are seven points behind them.
As for the Wild, they have 88 points in 75 games. Their toughest match-up is against the Dallas Stars, giving them the seventh-easiest schedule remaining according to Tankathon. The Flames have played one fewer game, but the two teams will match-up on the 11th in Calgary.
With a 35-27-12 record, the Flames have 82 points in 74 games played, six points behind the Wild and seven points behind the Blues. The Flames have the ninth-easiest schedule remaining, according to Tankathon. Their toughest match-ups are against the Vegas Golden Knights (two), the Los Angeles Kings, and the Wild. It’s worth noting that a match-up against the Kings and Knights comes at the end of the season when they could be resting those players.
Lastly, the Canucks sit outside the Wild Card with 81 points and 74 games played. They have a tough schedule upcoming, facing the Stars, Knights (twice), Avalanche, and Wild.
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