MORE: First-round playoff schedules | Fatal flaws for all 16 teams
Season record: 45-30-7, 97 points
Standing : Third in Pacific, eighth in Western Conference
Clinched: April 9
Coach: Bob Hartley (regular season: 428-321-61-52; playoffs: 49-35; coached Avalanche 2001 Cup winner)
Captain : Mark Giordano (injured reserve)
Alternates: Jiri Hudler, Dennis Wideman, Kris Russell
SERIES PREVIEWS: Canucks-Flames | Ducks-Jets | Blues-Wild | Predators-Blackhawks
Players to watch : Calder Trophy candidate Johnny Gaudreau tookn the lead on offense at 21 years old. He tied for the rookie lead in scoring with 64 points. Jiri Hudler is the only player with stats — 31 goals and 45 assists, placing him eighth in the league. Giordano was a Norris Trophy candidate as the league’s best defenseman until season-ending biceps surgery in late February. He will not be available in the playoffs.
Goaltender: Jonas Hiller had a .918 save percentage and 2.36 goals-against average in 52 games and heads into the playoffs as Calgary’s No. 1. Backup Karri Ramo is day-to-day with a leg injury. For now, John Ortio is No. 2 behind Hiller.
Playoff history: The Flames have seen postseason action 27 times, but their most recent appearance was in 2009. They last made it past the opening round in 2004, which was one of three times they went to the finals.
Championships : Calgary won the Cup in 1989. It’s the team’s only Cup since its founding in 1972, when it began play in Atlanta.
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Schedule/TV (All times ET; * — if necessary) :
April 15, Flames 2, Canucks 1 April 17, at Vancouver, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, CNBC April 19, at Calgary, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN April 21, at Calgary, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, USA *April 23, at Vancouver, TBD, CBC *April 25, at Calgary, TBD, CBC *April 27, at Vancouver, TBD, CBC
SERIES PREVIEWS: Rangers-Penguins | Canadiens-Senators | Capitals-Islanders | Lightning-Red Wings
