The Calgary Flames take on the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Flames captured the No. 1 seed in the West out of the Pacific division, but failed to catch the Colorado Avalanche for points overall in the conference. As a result, the Flames are facing the WC1 in the Stars, who were able to edge out the Nashville Predators and avoid the Avs in the first round.
Here we’re going to be tracking the results of the series.
Flames win series 4-3 over Stars
Game 1: Flames 1, Stars 0
Recap — This may become a theme for this series — no scoring. The Flames were able to blank the Stars in Game 1 thanks to a meager 16 saves from Jacob Markstrom in net. The lone goal of the game was scored by Elias Lindholm on the power play in the first period. The rest of the game was pretty lackluster. Dallas was completely stifled on offense, though Jake Oettinger’s performance was encouraging. The young goaltender made 25 saves on 26 shots to keep the Stars in the game all night.
Game 2: Stars 2, Flames 0
Recap — The Stars evened the series with the second shutout in as many games. Calgary shut out Dallas in Game 1. The Stars came right back and Jake Oettinger made 29 saves in a shutout win on Thursday to make it 1-1. So the Stars steal home ice advantage heading bac to Dallas, which is bad news for Calgary. The Flames have had struggles in the first round of the postseason.
Game 3: Stars 4, Flames 2
Recap — After splitting games in Calgary, the Stars went back home and got a win to take a 2-1 series lead in the first round. The top-seeded Flames are now in danger of falling behind 3-1 in the series. Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger was stellar again, making 39 saves on 41 shots in the Game 3 win. Veteran Joe Pavelski stepped up big with two goals.
Game 4: Flames 4, Stars 1
Recap — The Flames bounced back with a win in Game 4 to even the series 2-2. Calgary was in danger of going down 3-1 to the wild card team out of the Central. Instead, the Flames clamped down on defense and Jacob Markstrom had 34 saves. That performance was overshadowed only slightly by Jake Oettinger, who continues to perform at the highest level for a goalie. He made 50 saves on 53 shots in the loss. Dallas can’t get by allowing that many scoring chances. This series could be tipping.
Game 5: Flames 3, Stars 1
Recap — The Flames have a 3-2 lead in the series after a win in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Calgary is back to playing defense, limiting the Stars to just 21 shots in the game. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger didn’t face nearly as many shots as well, making 29 saves on 31 on net. Mikael Backlund and Andrew Mangiapane each had two points as Calgary will head to Dallas to try and close things out on Friday.
Game 6: Stars 4, Flames 2
Recap — The Stars were able to stave off elimination and force Game 7 on Sunday night against the Flames. Dallas blew a 2-0 lead in the second period before Miro Heiskanen scored the go-ahead goal late in the period. Tyler Seguin would give the Stars an insurance goal late in the third to seal the win.
Game 7: Flames 3, Stars 2 OT
Recap — We’ve got the Battle for Alberta. Johnny Gaudreau scored in overtime to give the Flames a 3-2 win over Dallas on Sunday night. The Flames will take on the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs.