While the Calgary Flames are out of the race for the Stanley Cup once again, that doesn't mean that the games still going on don't have reasons for fans to be invested. There's the obvious implications with the Vegas Golden Knights, as their second-round pick in 2028 could become a first if they win, but on top of that, they and Colorado both have two former Flames on their team, with Carolina having one in Mark Jankowski.
Some fans may not have been cheering for Vegas, but on the back of a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night, they've punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals, meaning that both Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson will get their first shot at the Cup in their careers.
4 of brooms 🃏🧹
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) May 27, 2026
The Vegas Golden Knights are 2025-26 Western Conference Champions an are going to the #StanleyCup Final for the third time in their 9 years as a franchise. #ForgedInGold pic.twitter.com/3OwTyvCCkv
This game officially helps Vegas finish the sweep over Nazem Kadri and the Colorado Avalanche, and now, two former, well-loved Flames make it on to the next round. Through the first three rounds of the post-season, neither have been perfect, with Andersson posting 5 assists while Hanifin has 6 in that time, but at both ends of the ice, they've been more than solid.
DEFENDED. THE. FORTRESS. ⚔️
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) May 27, 2026
The Vegas Golden Knights have punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning Lord Stanley in 2023.
Will they go all the way? pic.twitter.com/xMccOW3giY
Now, Flames fans will have to decide whether cheering for a division rival in the Stanley Cup Finals is worth it or not, as a win in the next series could have Vegas' second-round pick transfer to a first, while two beloved franchise players get the opportunity they never quite got with the Flames.
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