The Ducks’ postseason hopes were officially extinguished by the Flames in a game played on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. The Flames beat the Ducks 4-1, extending the Ducks’ postseason drought to seven consecutive seasons.
-
The Ducks’ Radko Gudas, left, and the Calgary Flames’ Kevin Bahl battle for position during the second period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
Ducks goalie John Gibson, left, can’t stop a shot by the Calgary Flames’ Nazem Kadri 16 seconds into the first period on Thursday night in Calgary, ALberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Calgary Flames’ Nazem Kadri, centre, celebrates his goal with teammates and fans during the first period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
Ducks goalie John Gibson, left, blocks the net on the Calgary Flames’ Joel Farabee during the first period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Olen Zellweger, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Jacob Trouba during the first period of their game against the Calgary Flames on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Radko Gudas, bottom, checks the Calgary Flames’ Adam Klapka during the first period on on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Oliver Kylington, left, chases the Calgary Flames’ Jonathan Huberdeau during the first period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Sam Colangelo, left, is checked by the Calgary Flames’ Kevin Rooney during the first period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
Ducks goalie John Gibson, right, defends his net as the Calgary Flames’ Adam Klapka shoots wide during the second period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Calgary Flames’ Blake Coleman, center, celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period of their game against the Ducks on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Mason McTavish, right, tries to dig the pick out from under Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf’s glove during the second period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Drew Helleson, center, and the Calgary Flames’ Joel Farabee, right, look back as Ducks goalie John Gibson stops a shot during the second period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Jansen Harkins, right, is checked by the Calgary Flames’ Blake Coleman during the second period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Troy Terry, left, has his shot kicked away by Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf during the third period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Sam Colangelo, left, tries to get the puck past Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf during the third period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
-
The Ducks’ Leo Carlsson, right, checks the Calgary Flames’ Nazem Kadri during the third period on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
CALGARY, Alberta — Despite a season of visible progress, the obvious became official north of the border.
Blake Coleman scored a pair of special teams goals, Dustin Wolf made 26 saves and the Calgary Flames beat the Ducks, 4-1, on Thursday night, officially eliminating the Ducks from the playoff race and extending their postseason drought to seven consecutive seasons.
Nazem Kadri and Kevin Rooney also scored and Yegor Sharangovich had two assists for the Flames (36-27-12, 84 points), who helped their playoff hopes.
Olen Zellweger scored for the Ducks (33-34-8, 74 points) on a night when goalie John Gibson left after the second period because of a lower-body injury.
“We looked a little tired or something, not really competing like we need to be,” Zellweger told NHL.com. “Obviously because of that we’re giving up way too many chances against. There were a few good moments throughout the game, but overall we have to be way better, way more competitive and complete. It’s unfortunate, our effort that game.”
The Ducks, who finished with 59 points last season, are already 15 points better with seven games remaining.
“As much as it’s disappointing tonight, I think from the big picture we took a step in the right direction,” Ducks captain Radko Gudas told NHL.com. “You can see the guys here that are young and wanted to get better, they want to get better every game we play. I thought for us, obviously not a successful year because of (missing) the playoffs, but I think it was a step in the right direction for the organization and the future is going to be bright if we can keep this group together.”
Flames forward Martin Pospisil collided with Gibson with 24 seconds left in the second. Pospisil was driving to the net and was hauled down by the Ducks’ Radko Gudas, who was penalized for holding.
Gibson finished the period, allowing three goals on 26 shots. Lukas Dostal stopped eight of nine shots in the third. There was no update on Gibson’s status postgame.
Kadri got the Flames off to a fast start, scoring his team-leading 31st goal of the season 16 seconds in when he elected to shoot on a 2-on-
