The Calgary Flames welcomed 2026 with momentum, capping a resurgent December with a convincing 5-1 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
A December to Remember
The win was the exclamation point on an excellent month for the team. With a record of 9-4-0 in December, the Flames have not only pulled themselves back to a .500 winning percentage for the first time since early October but have also positioned themselves just one point out of a Western Conference playoff spot as the calendar turns.
"I think the significance is we stayed with it," said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. "We were in a tough stretch to start the year and it could have easily gone the other way. Our older players are the ones who drive our team."
The victory over the Flyers, who were playing the second game of a back-to-back, marked Calgary's third consecutive win and their fifth straight triumph on home ice. Goaltender Dustin Wolf was stellar, stopping 25 of 26 shots, signaling a return to form that has been central to the team's turnaround.
Captain Backlund Leading the Charge
The team's resurgence has been fueled by strong performances across the lineup, with captain Mikael Backlund at the forefront. Backlund opened the scoring against Philadelphia and finished December on a tear, recording six goals and five assists during the month.
His play has been so impressive that teammate Rasmus Andersson didn't hesitate when asked if Backlund deserved a spot on the Swedish Olympic team. "Yes, absolutely," Andersson stated. "Really good, unbelievable, best I've seen him play. He's dragging the team into the fight... he's been one of our best players."
Backlund credited the team's collective focus for the improved results. "There were some dark days earlier in the year with the tough stretch, but the boys have been digging in and kept believing," the captain said.
Building Momentum for the Playoff Push
While pleased with the December results, the Flames are aware their work is far from complete. The win solidifies their position in the playoff conversation, but the mission now is to sustain this level of play into the new year.
"The push from those older guys has allowed us to get in this position now, and we have to find a way to keep going because we're not where we want to be yet," Coach Huska emphasized.
The dominant performance against Philadelphia, featuring contributions from throughout the roster, provides a solid foundation as the Flames aim to translate their December success into a sustained push for the postseason in 2026.
