Calgary Flames top 10 playoff games

We begin with two honourable mentions in hockey history. First up is Game 7 of the 1981 Quarterfinal. This game marked the Calgary Flames’ first-ever playoff run after relocating from Atlanta before the start of the season. The Flames were up against the Philadelphia Flyers in a fierce battle. After sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks, the Flames managed to take a 3–1 lead in the series against the Flyers. However, the Broad Street Bullies fought back, forcing a decisive Game 7 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia.

Taking advantage of some Flyers penalty troubles, the Flames scored three straight power play goals, making it 3–0 halfway into the second period. After the Flyers scored, the Flames scored again to regain their three-goal lead and win Game 7 4–1. Calgary would advance but lost in the semifinals 4–2 to the Minnesota North Stars. It marked the end of their first playoff run in Calgary.

Next, we move up a decade to the 1991 Smythe Division Semifinal, featuring another edition of the Battle of Alberta. After a 1–1 tie in Game 6 that required overtime, the Flames scored one of their most famous goals when Theo Fleury secured the win for Calgary. He celebrated dramatically, sliding across the ice in a massive celebration. Unfortunately for the Flames, the Edmonton Oilers would go on to win Game 7, ending their 1991 campaign.

10. 2004 Western Conference Quarterfinal, Game 7 vs. Canucks

This series would shift to Vancouver for Game 7 of the 2004 Western Conference Quarterfinal after the Vancouver Canucks forced Game 7 with a 5–4 overtime win in Game 6. The Flames, who were in their return to the playoffs for the first time since 1996, found themselves up 2–1 in the third period thanks to a two-goal effort from the captain, Jarome Iginla.

The Flames were six seconds away from heading to round two when the Canucks found the tying goal from Matt Cooke. His goal sent this series to a second straight overtime. Overtime would not take long, as Martin Gelinas put home an Iginla rebound 1:25 into overtime. This sparked the beginning of the Flames’ legendary 2004 Cinderella run.

9. 2015 Western Conference First Round, Game 6 vs. Canucks

Jumping ahead 11 years, the Canucks and Flames would meet again for the first time since 2004, as the Flames were looking for their first series win since their run to the Cup Final. The Flames were holding a 3–2 series lead and returned home to a rocking Scotiabank Saddledome.

Trailing 4–1 to the halfway point of the game, the young “Find a Way Flames” came to life. Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau would cut into the deficit to bring a one-goal game into the final period. In the third, linemate Juri Hudler would tie the game at 4–4 on the power play.

Late in the game, Matt “Matty Franchise” Stajan would put home a loose puck, and the ‘Dome erupted with under four minutes left. The Flames would go on to win the game, adding two empty-netters for a 7–4 win over the Canucks.

8. 1986 Smythe Division Final, Game 7 vs. Oilers

The infamous Steve Smith goal. Tied 2–2 late in the third period, the Oilers’ Steve Smith mistakenly passed the puck from behind his own net, banking it off the skate of goaltender Grant Fuhr and into the back of the net, giving a 3–2 lead to the Flames. Calgary would hold on for the series win, and this still stands as the lone Battle of Alberta playoff series win for the Flames.

7. 1989 Smythe Division Semifinal, Game 7 vs. Canucks

The president’s trophy-winning Flames had their work cut out for them in the opening round of the 1989 playoffs. The Flames would find themselves in a Game 7 overtime against the 74-point Vancouver Canucks. After nearly 20 minutes of overtime action, Joel Otto was the hero. Jim Peplinski deflected his pass off the skate of Otto and into the net. The Canucks came so close to ending the Flames’ Stanley Cup-winning season early after an intense seven-game series

6. 2015 Western Conference Second Round, Game 3 vs. Ducks

Another “Find a Way Flames” classic, trailing 3–2 at home against the Ducks, the Flames believed they had tied the game off a Sam Bennett goal that looked to have just crossed the line. With shades of 2004, the goal was ruled inconclusive. The Flames were still down a goal with just over six to play.

In the dying moments of the game, with 20 seconds to go, Johnny Gaudreau would score, putting a puck over the shoulder of Frederik Andersen. Mikael Backlund was the overtime hero after the Flames pulled the goalie on a lengthy penalty, winning the game.

5. 2004 Western Conference Semifinal, Game 6 vs. Red Wings

Martin “The Eliminator” Gelinas would strike again, breaking the 0–0 deadlock with under a minute to play in overtime, and sending the Flames onto the Western Conference Final. Miikka Kiprusoff would be lights out with 38 saves, picking up his second consecutive shutout.

4. 2004 Stanley Cup Final, Game 5 vs. Lightning

Another overtime game on our list! With the series returning to Tampa Bay tied at 2–2, Calgary pulled off a 3–2 overtime win, taking a 3–2 series lead. But let’s not talk about the next few games…

In the first period, Martin Gelinas and former Flame Martin St. Louis traded goals. In the second period, Jarome Iginla scored for Calgary, putting them ahead 2–1. Just 37 seconds into the third period, the Lightning tied the game, making it 2–2. The game remained tied until 14:40 of overtime when Oleg Saprykin scored, giving the Flames the win.

3. 2022 Western Conference First Round, Game 7 vs. Stars

For the number three spot, we only need to go back a few years. Facing a tough series against Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars, Game 7 returned to the Saddledome. The Flames dominated and vastly outshot the Stars, but Oettinger carried his club to overtime with the last goal in regulation coming way back in the second by Matthew Tkachuk.

At the 15:09 mark of overtime, Johnny Gaudreau took a sharp-angle shot and squeezed it past Oettinger’s shoulder, clinching the series victory for the Flames as the Saddledome erupted.

2. 2004 Western Conference Final, Game 6 vs. Sharks

Number two on our list is another game from the 2004 Cup Final run. Jarome Iginla picked up his tenth goal of the playoffs, while Martin Gelinas would score his third straight series-clinching goal with the eventual game-winner, sending the eighth-seeded Flames to the Stanley Cup Final.

1. 1989 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6 vs. Canadiens

No surprise here that the Stanley Cup-winning game takes the number one spot. Lanny McDonald would score in his final game before retirement, while Doug Gilmour would score a pair in the 4–2 Stanley Cup-winning game. A well-known fact is that the Calgary Flames are the only road team to ever win the Cup by defeating the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.

Do you agree or disagree with our list? Are there any games we missed, or is there anything you would change? Let us know below in the comments.