Flames Look to Keep Playoff Momentum Rolling Against Utah

The Calgary Flames are proving everyone wrong this season. Heading into 2025, they’re holding onto a playoff spot—a position no one expected for a team that was supposed to be rebuilding. But as they get ready to host the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday, the Flames know there’s no time to let up.

Calgary Flames: Turning Heads and Making Noise

Let’s face it, no one had high hopes for Calgary this year. After trading away their veteran stars and shifting to a younger roster, the Flames were written off as bottom-feeders. Instead, they’ve flipped the script and are making a serious playoff push, going 4-1-2 in their last seven games.

• Jonathan Huberdeau: The guy’s on fire. With 16 goals this season, he’s on track for a career-best year.
• Nazem Kadri: Talk about clutch. Eight of his 14 goals have come in the third period, including the game-winner against Vancouver on New Year’s Eve. Kadri says he thrives under pressure:“I love stepping up when the game’s on the line. It doesn’t always work, but that killer instinct is what I bring.”

Calgary forward Ryan Lomberg summed up the team’s mindset:

Utah Hockey Club: Struggling to Stay Afloat

Things aren’t going as smoothly for Utah. After an 8-1-2 run had them in the playoff conversation, they’ve hit a rough patch, losing five straight games. Their latest loss—a 4-1 defeat to Edmonton—was closer than the score suggests, but missed opportunities cost them.

• Captain Concerns: Clayton Keller, Utah’s leading scorer with 37 points, missed the Edmonton game due to illness. No word yet on whether he’ll play against Calgary, and that uncertainty looms large for a team desperate for offense.
• Coach’s Perspective: Despite the struggles, coach Andre Tourigny is keeping things positive:“We defended with pride and fought hard. We didn’t have the energy to create much offense, but the effort was there. That’s something to build on.”

Forward Liam O’Brien highlighted the team’s frustration:

“We had our chances—a crossbar here, a missed net there—but we’ve got to find ways to win. It’s that simple.”

Utah now sits five points behind Calgary in the standings, making this game a must-win if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

Key Matchup Breakdown

For the Flames:

• Keep the Momentum Going: With a playoff spot on the line, they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas.
• Lean on Leaders: Huberdeau and Kadri have been difference-makers all season. Look for them to step up again.

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For Utah:

• Find Scoring: If Keller can’t go, others like Liam O’Brien need to step up. They’ve struggled to generate offense lately, and that has to change.
• Defend Relentlessly: Tourigny’s focus on pride and effort needs to translate into keeping Calgary’s offense in check.

Players to Watch

• Jonathan Huberdeau (Flames): He’s the guy you don’t want to leave open. With 16 goals already, he’s in top form.
• Nazem Kadri (Flames): Kadri’s ability to deliver in high-pressure moments makes him a player Utah has to watch closely.
• Clayton Keller (Utah): If he’s back in the lineup, Utah’s captain will be key to ending their losing streak.
• Liam O’Brien (Utah): With Keller’s status uncertain, O’Brien needs to step up and deliver on offense.

What’s at Stake?

For Calgary, it’s about proving their playoff position isn’t a fluke and keeping the momentum alive. For Utah, this game is a chance to stop the bleeding and stay in the playoff conversation.

Both teams have something to prove, and with so much on the line, Thursday’s game should be a battle.