• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Can Flames Lift Canada’s 29-Year Stanley Cup Curse?

  • They have won a franchise-tying 10 in a row and are four points ahead of the second-place Golden Knights in the Pacific Division.
  • The Montreal Canadiens are the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 1993.
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

On Monday, the Flames won their franchise record-tying 10th straight, defeating the Jets 3-1 in Calgary and becoming the first team in NHL history to sweep a homestand of seven-plus games.

With 33 games remaining, they’re now four points clear of the Golden Knights at the top of the Pacific Division. But since GM Brad Treliving took over in 2014, Calgary has one division title and four postseason appearances — and has never advanced past the second round. 

Now, they’re in prime position to do what — astonishingly — no team from Canada has done since the Canadiens in 1993: win a Stanley Cup.

  • The Flames have outscored opponents 42-15 over the win streak.
  • They have the second-most points (66) in the Western Conference.
  • They allow the fewest goals per game in the league (2.23) and are tied for seventh in scoring (3.41).
  • Their plus-55 goal differential is tied for third-best in the NHL.

Though Calgary ranks sixth in total cash ($93.7M), its estimated total cap hit ($82.7M) is the highest in the league.

However, the Flames have only a combined $17.6 million cap hit committed to arguably their most important trio: Goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s eight shutouts are a league high, winger Johnny Gaudreau is fourth in points (44), and center Elias Lindholm is on a franchise-record-tying eight-game goal streak.

Calgary is the seventh-favorite (+1,500*) to win its second title — and first since 1989.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hockey’s Best Player Enters Contract Year Noncommittal About Future

The superstar becomes a free agent next year absent a contract extension.

Panthers Repeat as Stanley Cup Champs, Buoyed by Bold Deadline Move

The second consecutive Cup helps cement the South as a hockey stronghold.

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
Devers

Devers Stunner Only Part of Wild Week for Fenway Sports Group

Red Sox fans immediately started making connections to soccer.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

How the Celtics Cut $500M Roster Bill Nearly By Half in 1..

Boston is now under the second tax apron for next season.
Mar 11, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center.
June 24, 2025

Wizards Acquire CJ McCollum to Set Up $100M in 2026 Cap Space

About $110 million will come off the Wizards’ books next year.
exclusive
June 24, 2025

Fever and Bonner Heading for a Breakup? Here’s What We Know

The Fever are exploring options as DeWanna Bonner seeks a fresh start.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Jun 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; SL Benfica forward Evangelos Pavlidis (14) in action with Auckland City FC defender Christian Gray (4) during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Inter&Co Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Day Jobs, Weekly Stipends: Behind the Club World Cup’s Only Amateur Team

“We’ve never been in this for the financial reward.”
June 22, 2025

Pacers Lose Haliburton in NBA Finals—and Possibly for a Season

Haliburton entered the game with a right calf strain he played Game 6 with.
June 22, 2025

Kevin Durant Traded to Houston in Blockbuster Deal

Houston was one of Durant’s preferred destinations.
June 20, 2025

How Mark Walter’s Dodgers Playbook Could Rewrite Lakers’ Future

The owner’s tenure with the MLB club has been lined with success.