The Calgary Flames find themselves in unfamiliar territory as the 2025-26 regular season winds down. Unlike last year's heartbreaking playoff chase that ended in disappointment, this season has the Flames competing for draft lottery positioning rather than Stanley Cup glory.
With 11 games remaining on their schedule, Calgary sits at 67 points, tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for the fourth-worst record in the NHL. The team's maximum possible point total is 89, placing them squarely in the conversation for a top-five draft pick.
Draft Lottery Stakes
The NHL's lottery system creates significant stakes for bottom-dwelling teams. While finishing with the worst record guarantees a top-three selection, the ping-pong ball system introduces considerable variability.
Teams finishing 28th overall have a 17.4% chance of moving up to first or second overall, a 24.5% chance of staying fifth, and a 58.2% chance of dropping to sixth or seventh. The worst team in the league enjoys a 25.5% chance at the first overall pick, though there's still a 74.5% probability of selecting second or third.
The Bottom Five Breakdown
Vancouver leads the basement race with just 50 points and appears destined for last place. The Canucks would need to earn only nine points from their remaining games to officially clinch 32nd overall.
The New York Rangers (65 points) and the Flames-Blackhawks tandem (67 points each) round out the bottom four, with St. Louis (69 points) completing the bottom five.
Flames Face Playoff-Heavy Schedule
Calgary's remaining schedule presents significant challenges for any team hoping to climb the standings. Apart from a matchup against Vancouver, the Flames face exclusively playoff teams or clubs desperately fighting for postseason positioning.
The schedule includes games against Anaheim, Colorado (three times), Vegas (twice), Dallas, Seattle, Utah, and Los Angeles. Perhaps most challenging, Calgary faces a six-game road trip during this stretch, and the team has struggled away from the Saddledome this season.
The Flames open their final 11-game stretch against Anaheim before hosting Vancouver in what could be a crucial matchup between two lottery-bound teams.
For Calgary fans tracking the latest standings and statistics, the remaining games will determine whether the organization secures a guaranteed top-five pick or risks sliding further down the draft order.
This article is based on reporting from FlamesNation. Original source: FlamesNation.ca
