Source: Getty Images
The Calgary Flames are based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and are one of the Canadian representatives in the National Hockey League ( NHL). Notably, they began as the Alberta Flames in 1972 before relocating to Calgary in 1980. As of April 2024, they play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome and have clinched three conference titles, eight division titles, two Presidents' Trophy alongside a notable Stanley Cup triumph in 1988-89. Players that contributed to that triumph involved Lanny McDonald, Doug Gilmour, Al MacInnis, Joe Nieuwrndyk and Joe Mullen. Unfortunately, this was followed by periods of postseason absence, most notably between 1996 and 2003. The 2003-04 postseason run, where they made the Stanley Cup finals still stands as one of their highlights in the past two decades. Also, this was the last time they reached the Stanley Cup finals.
Calgary Flames NHL Playoff History and Appearances
The Calgary Flames have a storied playoff history in the NHL, having made 25 playoff appearances since their relocation from Atlanta. Their journey includes notable successes and disappointments across various seasons. From their initial postseason appearance in 1980-81 to their run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003-04, where they narrowly lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Flames have showcased resilience and competitive spirit. Despite periods of absence from the playoffs, they've consistently been a team to watch, with key players like Theo Fleury and Jarome Iginla leaving lasting impacts on the franchise. Recent years have seen mixed results, with notable playoff series wins followed by early exits.
A table exploring Calgary Flames’ playoff history and appearances is provided below:
Year | Record | Result |
2023 | 38-27-17 | Missed Playoffs |
2022 | 50-21-11 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
2021 | 26-27-3 | Missed Playoffs |
2020 | 36-27-7 | Lost First Round |
2019 | 50-25-7 | Lost First Round |
2018 | 37-35-10 | Missed Playoffs |
2017 | 45-33-4 | Lost First Round |
2016 | 35-40-7 | Missed Playoffs |
2015 | 45-30-7 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
2014 | 35-40-7 | Missed Playoffs |
2013 | 19-25-4 | Missed Playoffs |
2012 | 37-29-16 | Missed Playoffs |
2011 | 41-29-12 | Missed Playoffs |
2010 | 40-32-10 | Missed Playoffs |
2009 | 46-30-6 | Lost First Round |
2008 | 42-30-10 | Lost First Round |
2007 | 43-29-10 | Lost First Round |
2006 | 46-25-11 | Lost First Round |
2004 | 42-30-7-3 | Lost Stanley Cup Final |
2003 | 29-36-13-4 | Missed Playoffs |
2002 | 32-35-12-3 | Missed Playoffs |
2001 | 27-36-15-4 | Missed Playoffs |
2000 | 31-36-10-5 | Missed Playoffs |
1999 | 30-40-12 | Missed Playoffs |
1998 | 26-41-15 | Missed Playoffs |
1997 | 32-41-9 | Missed Playoffs |
1996 | 34-37-11 | Lost First Round |
1995 | 24-17-7 | Lost First Round |
1994 | 42-29-13 | Lost First Round |
1993 | 43-30-11 | Lost First Round |
1992 | 31-37-12 | Missed Playoffs |
1991 | 46-26-8 | Lost First Round |
1990 | 42-23-15 | Lost First Round |
1989 | 54-17-9 | Stanley Cup Winners |
1988 | 48-23-9 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1987 | 46-31-3 | Lost First Round |
1986 | 40-31-9 | Lost Stanley Cup Final |
1985 | 41-27-12 | Lost First Round |
1984 | 34-32-14 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1983 | 32-34-14 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1982 | 29-34-17 | Lost First Round |
1981 | 39-27-14 | Lost Conference Finals |
Calgary Flames Conference History
The Calgary Flames have been a significant presence in the Western Conference throughout their NHL history, contributing to the conference's competitive landscape since their relocation from Atlanta. Since joining the league in 1972, the Flames have competed in various divisions within the conference, including the Patrick, Smythe Divisions and later the Northwest and Pacific Divisions. Over the years, the Flames have experienced fluctuations in performance, with periods of dominance and rebuilding shaping their conference history. Despite facing challenges, they have consistently remained a formidable contender in the Western Conference, with notable achievements such as winning three conference titles in 1986, 1989, and 2004.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the team encountered periods of struggle and missed opportunities, but they also experienced moments of success, such as their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003-04, where they narrowly fell short against the Lightning. Despite facing setbacks in subsequent seasons, including the disappointment of the 2013-14 season where they failed to qualify for the playoffs, the team's determination remained unwavering.
A table exploring Calgary Flames's Conference History along with their results is provided below:
Team | Division | Result | |||||
2022–23 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2021–22 | Western | Won in First Round, 4–3 (Stars) Lost in Second Round, 1–4 (Oilers) | |||||
2020–21 | — | Did not qualify | |||||
2019–20 | Western | Won in Qualifying Round, 3–1 (Jets) Lost in First Round, 2–4 (Stars) | |||||
2018–19 | Western | Lost in First Round, 1–4 (Avalanche) | |||||
2017–18 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2016–17 | Western | Lost in First Round, 0–4 (Ducks) | |||||
2015–16 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2014–15 | Western | Won in First Round, 4–2 (Canucks) Lost in Second Round, 1–4 (Ducks) | |||||
2013–14 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2012–13 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2011–12 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2010–11 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2009–10 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2008–09 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Blackhawks) | |||||
2007–08 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Sharks) | |||||
2006–07 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Red Wings) | |||||
2005–06 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Mighty Ducks) | |||||
2004–05 | - | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | |||||
2003–04 | Western | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–3 (Canucks) Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–2 (Red Wings) Won in Conference Finals, 4–2 (Sharks) Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 3–4 (Lightning) | |||||
2002–03 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2001–02 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
2000–01 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
1999–2000 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
1998–99 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
1997–98 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
1996–97 | Western | Did not qualify | |||||
1995–96 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Blackhawks) | |||||
1994–95 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Sharks) | |||||
1993–94 | Western | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Canucks) | |||||
1992–93 | Campbell | Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–4 (Kings) | |||||
1991–92 | Campbell | Did not qualify | |||||
1990–91 | Campbell | Lost in Division Semifinals, 3–4 (Oilers) | |||||
1989–90 | Campbell | Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–4 (Kings) | |||||
1988–89 | Campbell | Won in Division Semifinals, 4–3 (Canucks) Won in Division Finals, 4–0 (Kings) Won in Conference Finals, 4–1 (Blackhawks) Stanley Cup champions, 4–2 (Canadiens) | |||||
1987–88 | Campbell | Won in Division Semifinals, 4–1 (Kings) Lost in Division Finals, 0–4 (Oilers) | |||||
1986–87 | Campbell | Lost in Division Semifinals, 2–4 (Jets) | |||||
1985–86 | Campbell | Won in Division Semifinals, 3–0 (Jets) Won in Division Finals, 4–3 (Oilers) Won in Conference Finals, 4–3 (Blues) Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 1–4 (Canadiens) | |||||
1984–85 | Campbell | Lost in Division Semifinals, 1–3 (Jets) | |||||
1983–84 | Campbell | Won in Division Semifinals, 3–1 (Canucks) Lost in Division Finals, 3–4 (Oilers) | |||||
1982–83 | Campbell | Won in Division Semifinals, 3–1 (Canucks) Lost in Division Finals, 1–4 (Oilers) | |||||
1981–82 | Campbell | Lost in Division Semifinals, 0–3 (Canucks) | |||||
1980–81 | Campbell | Won in preliminary round, 3–0 (Black Hawks) Won in Quarterfinals, 4–3 (Flyers) Lost in Semifinals, 2–4 (North Stars) | |||||
Calgary Flames Division History
The Calgary Flames have been part of several divisions throughout their NHL history, adapting to league realignments and expansions. Since their relocation from Atlanta in 1980, the Flames have competed in divisions such as the West Division and later the Patrick, Smythe, Northwest and Pacific Divisions within the Western Conference. Over the years, they have experienced changes in divisional alignments but have maintained a consistent presence in the league.
Beginning in the late 1970s as part of the West Divison, they displayed consistency in their regular season records, with occasional fluctuations in wins and losses. Transitioning into the 1980s, their competitive spirit remained evident, despite facing formidable opponents within the division. As the NHL underwent structural transformations, so did the team's divisional affiliations, eventually finding themselves in the Northwest Division by the early 2000s. Despite encountering challenges in certain seasons, their dedication to the game and their loyal fan base remained steadfast.
A table exploring the Calgary Flames's division history along with their regular season records is provided below:
Year | Division | Regular season |
2023 | Pacific | 38-27-17 |
2022 | Pacific (#1) | 50-21-11 |
2021 | North | 26-27-3 |
2020 | Pacific | 36-27-7 |
2019 | Pacific (#1) | 50-25-7 |
2018 | Pacific | 37-35-10 |
2017 | Pacific | 45-33-4 |
2016 | Pacific | 35-40-7 |
2015 | Pacific | 45-30-7 |
2014 | Pacific | 35-40-7 |
2013 | Northwest | 19-25-4 |
2012 | Northwest | 37-29-16 |
2011 | Northwest | 41-29-12 |
2010 | Northwest | 40-32-10 |
2009 | Northwest | 46-30-6 |
2008 | Northwest | 42-30-10 |
2007 | Northwest | 43-29-10 |
2006 | Northwest (#1) | 46-25-11 |
2004 | Northwest | 42-30-7-3 |
2003 | Northwest | 29-36-13-4 |
2002 | Northwest | 32-35-12-3 |
2001 | Northwest | 27-36-15-4 |
2000 | Northwest | 31-36-10-5 |
1999 | Northwest | 30-40-12 |
1998 | Pacific | 26-41-15 |
1997 | Pacific | 32-41-9 |
1996 | Pacific | 34-37-11 |
1995 | Pacific (#1) | 24-17-7 |
1994 | Pacific (#1) | 42-29-13 |
1993 | Smythe | 43-30-11 |
1992 | Smythe | 31-37-12 |
1991 | Smythe | 46-26-8 |
1990 | Smythe (#1) | 42-23-15 |
1989 | Smythe (#1) | 54-17-9 |
1988 | Smythe (#1) | 48-23-9 |
1987 | Smythe | 46-31-3 |
1986 | Smythe | 40-31-9 |
1985 | Smythe | 41-27-12 |
1984 | Smythe | 34-32-14 |
1983 | Smythe | 32-34-14 |
1982 | Smythe | 29-34-17 |
1981 | Patrick | 39-27-14 |
As the Atlanta Flames | ||
1980 | Patrick | 35-32-13 |
1979 | Patrick | 41-31-8 |
1978 | Patrick | 34-27-19 |
1977 | Patrick | 34-34-12 |
1976 | Patrick | 35-33-12 |
1975 | Patrick | 34-31-15 |
1974 | West | 30-34-14 |
1973 | West | 25-38-15 |
The Calgary Flames have clinched the division championship eight times, specifically in 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2005–06, 2018–19, and 2021–22.
FAQs
