Flames Eliminate Playoff Hopes with Shootout Win Over Knights

The Calgary Flames concluded their season with a thrilling 5-4 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, but their playoff hopes were extinguished as they were officially eliminated from contention earlier in the night. Despite the win, which featured standout performances from Morgan Frost and Nazem Kadri, the Flames needed other teams to lose to stay in the race, but both the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues secured their playoff spots. The game was marked by several lead changes, with Calgary staging a comeback after initially trailing 3-1. Dustin Wolf shone as the rookie goaltender, stopping 38 shots, while Frost's shootout goal capped off his strong performance after a 25-game goal drought. The Golden Knights, having already clinched the division title, showcased their depth even while resting key players, and now look forward to their playoff matchup against the Minnesota Wild. The Flames' season ends on a bittersweet note, highlighting both their resilience and the disappointment of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.