Instant Reaction: Avalanche best Flames in second-last game of season

Awhile later, though, the Avalanche tied things up. Cale Makar jumped into the rush, got possession of the puck in the corner of the Flames’ zone, then fired a pass to Artturi Lehkonen at the far side of net. Lehkonen snapped the puck past Dustin Wolf to tie the game at 1-1.

Second period shots were 17-10 Avalanche.

The third period was pretty back and forth. But late in the frame, the Avalanche got the lead. They got the puck to the point and a Brett Kulak point shot was redirected by Gabriel Landeskog past Wolf to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

The Flames pulled Wolf for the extra attacker. They couldn’t score, and Nathan MacKinnon added an empty-netter to ice this one as a 3-1 Avalanche victory.

Third period shots were 14-12 Flames.

Why the Flames lost

It’s probably not disrespectful to say that the Flames are at a skill deficit against the Avalanche, who are the best team in the NHL and very good. Give the Flames credit: they worked their butts off and gave the Avalanche a tough evening. But the Avalanche, even playing at three-quarters speed for much of this outing, are just in a different class right now.

The Flames kept it close, but the better team won.

Red Warrior

We’re gonna play the hits: Dustin Wolf was the Flames’ best player. He was excellent.

Turning point

In what was effectively a one-goal game, the Avalanche’s go-ahead goal is the obvious choice here.

This and that

Dustin Wolf started in net. Matvei Gridin returned from his illness and Rory Kerins was inserted after being called up early on Tuesday; they replaced a banged-up Matt Coronato and a healthy Ryan Strome in the lineup.

Zach Whitecloud took a high stick to the face late in the second period and didn’t play in the third period.

Former Flames forward Nazem Kadri wasn’t in the lineup for Colorado as he recovers from a hand injury and a few other nagging things, but he received a nice ovation from the fans – and waved to the crowd from the Zamboni entrance – during a tribute during the first period TV timeout.

After Burner

Join Cami Kepke and Mike Gould right after the game for After Burner!

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Up next

The Flames (33-39-9) close out their 2025-26 season on Thursday evening when they host the Los Angeles Kings in Anze Kopitar’s final NHL game.