Flames Playoff Update: Flames take 3-2 series lead after win last night | Stars coach said Flames have brought their game to another level

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As the Calgary Flames make a run for the Stanley Cup with their best lineup in years, we’ll be there every step of the way. Follow this page for news updates, player profiles, analysis, photos and tweets throughout the playoffs.

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What you need to know

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Mangiapane leads Flames to comeback victory in Game 5

Trailing after two periods in another nail-biter, the Calgary Flames needed a goal (or two), needed a comeback, needed a hero.

Mangiapane assisted on the tying tally and roofed the game-winner two shifts later as the Flames rallied for a 3-1 victory in Game 5 of their opening-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars.

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Flames look to leaders to help guide them in first round series against the Stars

Darryl Sutter is a man of few words.

That’s as true in pre-game speeches as it is in media availabilities.

Whatever is being said before the Calgary Flames take to the ice, though, seems to be generally working against the Dallas Stars. There have been bumps along the way throughout the series, but the way the Flames have started games hasn’t been an issue.

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Flames fans out, about, and ready for Game 5

Flames look to leaders to help guide them in first round series against the Stars

Darryl Sutter is a man of few words.

That’s as true in pre-game speeches as it is in media availabilities.

Whatever is being said before the Calgary Flames take to the ice, though, seems to be generally working against the Dallas Stars. There have been bumps along the way throughout the series, but the way the Flames have started games hasn’t been an issue.

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They’ve come onto the ice flying, outshooting the Stars in three of the first four games in their Round 1 playoff matchup and generally dictating the pace-of-play.

Asked about whether he said anything in particular to get his team hyped-up, Sutter stayed on-brand with a simple answer.

“Sure,” the Flames head coach said on Wednesday morning, hours ahead of Game 5.

Fortunately, there were a couple Flames veterans available to elaborate.

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Need-to-know: Massive Game 5 for Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars

There’s been very little separating the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars so far in their Round 1 playoff matchup, as evidenced by the fact that the series is tied 2-2.

Wednesday’s Game 5 is a massive opportunity for both teams to take control and get one vital step closer to advancing to Round 2. Will the Flames be able to carry the momentum they seemingly gained when they tied the series 2-2 with an impressive performance in Dallas two nights ago, or will the Stars bounce back?

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Game 5 is set for tonight at 7:30 p.m. MT, with the action broadcast on Sportsnet and CBC.

Here’s what you need to know …

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‘We haven’t won anything’: Flames are all business after squaring series with Stars

If there was no panic when the Calgary Flames lost their last two games, well, they’re not about to bust out the champagne now.

The Flames evened their Round 1 playoff series against the Dallas Stars with an emphatic 4-1 win on Monday night. They gave the sort of performance fans had been waiting for, outshooting their opponents 54-35 and controlling the play for large stretches of the game.

Asked on the TNT post-game show what head coach Darryl Sutter had said after the Flames squared their series 2-2, Johnny Gaudreau relayed that the message had been simple.

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“He came in and said ‘Good game, best-of-three,’ “ Gaudreau said. “That’s it, then he walked out.”

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Flames vs. Stars: Here are three keys to success

It’s a best-of-three now.

Two triumphs and you advance to the second round. Two losses and you’re booking tee-times and watching the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs from home. As the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars get down to the nitty-gritty in their Western Conference quarterfinal, now knotted at two wins apiece, here are three keys to success for either side …

3 KEYS FOR THE FLAMES

STRIVE FOR FIVE

The Flames have been one of the NHL’s best five-on-five squads all season. The key is to keep everybody on the ice. There’s been a whole lot of four-on-four action in this series and that doesn’t allow Calgary to exploit its edge in overall depth. As the intensity continues to ratchet up, they need to avoid off-setting penalties.

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GO JOHNNY GO

After facing his share of criticism for a failed breakaway in the late stages of Game 3, superstar left-winger Johnny Gaudreau responded with a superb performance two nights later. He scored the would-be winner on a penalty shot and set up an important insurance marker. The 28-year-old has a team-leading four points in this tight-checking tangle. He is the offensive engine, no doubt.

HOME COOKING

The Flames’ reward for a splendid regular season was top perch in the Pacific Division and the perk of home-ice advantage against this wildcard opponent. Now is when you need to make it count. Starting with Wednesday’s Game 5, it’s crucial for coach Darryl Sutter to win the matchup game and for his squad to feed off the energy and emotion of the raucous Saddledome crowd.

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Heading to the Red Lot tonight? Here’s what you need to know

Here are some tips and general information about the Calgary Flames Red Lot Community Viewing Party, located just west of the Saddledome on the Stampede Grounds.

Who can attend the Red Lot?
The viewing area is free of charge and open to all ages. Festivities will include live music, face painting, prize giveaways, merchandise sales and appearances by Harvey the Hound and Flames alumni.

If I have a ticket to the game, can I still get into the Red Lot?
Yes. In fact, the Calgary Flames club is encouraging people to take part in the pre-game activities.

What are the hours?
The Red Lot will be open three hours prior to puck drop and will go until the end of every home game for as long as the Flames are in the playoffs.

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What is the maximum capacity?
The Red Lot will be capping capacity at 5,000 fans, so you are advised to come early.

What amenities are available?
There are portable washrooms and hand-wash stations throughout the site. There are also food options and liquor services onsite. If you’re drinking and require a ride after the game, there will be an Uber zone outside the west entrance of the Saddledome.

Where can I sit?
There will be a limited number of seats available. However, fans are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs to enjoy the game.

Tuesday

Flames stalwart Markstrom a finalist for Vezina Trophy

He’s only thinking now about being the best goaltender in this series, and what a dandy duel it’s been so far.

His sole focus is another end-of-season showpiece — the Stanley Cup.

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Still, this is a heck of an honour for Jacob Markstrom.

On Tuesday, as the Calgary Flames headed home for a pivotal Game 5 of their first-round showdown against the Dallas Stars, Markstrom was revealed as one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy.

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Monday

Gaudreau leads Flames past Stars in Game 4, series now even

Gaudreau buried on that breakaway opportunity, capping a filthy deke to his backhand with a five-hole finish, and the Flames delivered their most impressive performance of these playoffs so far in rolling to a 4-1 victory in Game 4 of their opening-round date with the Dallas Stars.

“It’s just exciting to get that win,” Gaudreau said after the Flames squared this best-of-seven slugfest at two wins apiece. “That was a big game for us. Before heading back to Calgary, we wanted to tie this thing up.

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Flames superfan says his living room is next best thing to the Dome

Dean McCord figures if you can’t be at the Saddledome for the playoffs, you might as well have the next best thing.

McCord has built what he believes is the ultimate Flames man cave in his living room.

“I normally tell everyone, if you can’t be at the Dome, then this is the place you want to be to watch the game,” he said.

The room is set up with three couches plus some Flames-branded bar stools. It’s filled with Flames memorabilia and has multiple TV screens, including an 82-inch monster for the main viewing experience. There’s also a TV in the kitchen so you don’t miss a thing if you’re grabbing a beverage.

But that’s just the start of it.

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