The Calgary Flames woke up three days before Christmas with a nice gift in their stalls. Thanks to a 16-11-7 record with 39 points, they currently hold down the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
Many insiders and experts thought this would be a bottom-out rebuild season, but through 34 games, the Flames are proving everyone wrong, especially on home ice at the Saddledome.
Related: Flames Wake Up In Playoff Position After Final Game Before Holiday Break
Since the NHL lockout in 2005, Calgary has played 18 seasons with games held before Christmas, excluding 2012 (another lockout) and 2020 (Covid season).
This season’s 16 wins are the 14th-best total during the salary cap era. Their 11 losses are also tied for 14th, and their seven overtime losses are tied for the top spot with 2007 and 2022.
With a goal differential of minus-11, 95-106, this year’s team ranks fifth worst in the era. However, their 39 points are only the fourth time they’ve reached that plateau before Christmas, good enough for seventh best.
The Flames have played 633 games before Christmas in the past 18 seasons, with a record of 311-243-79, a goal differential of minus-32, 1789 goals scored, and 1821 against. They’ve collected 691 points in that span.
Breaking down these statistics even further, Calgary averages 35 games a season before the holiday, usually winning 17, losing 14, and dropping four in overtime. Moreover, the Flames usually score 100 goals and give up 102 while averaging 39 points.
Outside of the 2024-25 season, since the Flames have yet to hit their final point total, the club averages 42.05% of their yearly totals before the Christmas break, with some exceptions.
Only twice, in 2019 and 2009, did the team surpass 50% of their year-end point totals before the break. In 2019, they recorded 43 out of 79 points (54.43%); in 2009, they achieved 45 out of 90 points (50%).
Interestingly, the Flames finished their first 34 games with 39 points, one more point than they had at the 2021 break when the club finished atop the Pacific Division with 111 points. They secured 34.23% of that season’s points before the break, the lowest percentage in this era.
Finally, Calgary defeated the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, Dec. 21, only the fifth time they’ve gone into their break with a win that didn’t involve overtime or shootout.
Overall, in the final contest before Christmas, the Flames are 10-7-1, with three shootout wins, one shootout loss, two overtime wins, and one overtime loss.
Although the Flames’ second half doesn’t officially begin until their Jan. 11, 2025, contest against the Los Angeles Kings, what do you think about their performance before the holiday break compared to previous years? Will Calgary return to the playoffs?
No matter what happens, they’ve set themselves up for success after 34 games.
