The Calgary Flames lost a thriller to the Nashville Predators, 3-2 in a shootout, to be officially eliminated from playoff contention.
The loss combined with an earlier win by the Winnipeg Jets means the Flames cannot claim the final wild-card spot in the West. It was Calgary’s 17th loss in overtimes or shootouts.
The Flames twice clawed back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the game before Nashville broke the tie in the extra frame. The Jets now have 93 points with two games remaining while the Predators — the only other team left in the race — have 90 points with two games remaining. Both teams are scheduled to face the Wild and Avalanche this week, with a single Jets point all that is needed for Winnipeg to advance to the playoffs.
The Flames, with 91 points in 81 games, will miss the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons because the Jets hold the tiebreakers.
