Flames vs. Canucks, NHL playoffs 2015: Calgary closes out Vancouver in 6

1. Vancouver didn’t do themselves any favors

The Canucks can’t spin it any other way: they blew it. Taking a three goal lead in the first period was the perfect way to get a jump on extending the series to seven games. Instead, they allowed the Flames to chip away again and again until their season was ended. This one will sting until September.

The Flames will get another chance to eliminate their division rivals on Saturday, when the two clubs square off in Game 6 of their first round series in Calgary. If the Flames win, it will be the first time the franchise advances past the first round since 2004.

Home ice has been special for the Flames over the last two months. Calgary has gone 6-1-2 over its last nine games at home, no doubt spurred on by a home crowd eager to have playoff hockey back in town.

After Calgary took down Vancouver, 4-2, in a highly entertaining goalkeeper battle in Game 2, the Flames have a 2-1 lead heading into their second game at home during this series. It has been a testy series for both teams in this Canadian rivalry, and the Flames have a chance to blow this series open before it heads back to Vancouver.

Calgary surprised by winning the first game of the series in exciting fashion, as Kris Russell scored with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game to put the Flames on top. However, Vancouver looked like it regained its mojo in game two, cruising to a 4-1 win. Calgary regained control of the series with a win at home in Game 3. Notching another victory in Game 4 would send Calgary back to Vancouver with home-ice advantage intact.

The score would hold well into the third period, where the Flames scored two more goals to seal the victory and take a 2-1 series lead.

We kid, we kid. But it certainly isn’t a stretch to say Lack has pretty much stolen the starting job for himself, especially as the playoffs continue. He put on another strong performance on Sunday through two periods, the latest in a string of them this series. He was bettered by Hiller on Sunday night, but both netminders have played well during this series. You could make the argument that the final two Flames goals had more to do with the defense in front of him than Lack’s play himself.

For the first time since the 2008-09 season, there will be NHL playoff hockey in Calgary. The Flames snapped a five-year postseason drought and will host their first playoff game since losing to Chicago in the quarterfinals half a decade ago. Calgary will host the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3 of their series on Sunday, and the teams are tied 1-1 after splitting the first two games in Vancouver.

The matchup between Calgary and Vancouver has proven to be a close one this season. The teams split the regular season series 2-2 before trading the first two games of this series. Calgary opened the postseason with a 2-1 win to steal home-ice advantage, but the Canucks evened the series in Game 2 with a convincing 4-1 win. Despite the bounceback win, Vancouver will now need to steal a game in Calgary to regain the home-ice advantage in the series.

The series now shifts back to Calgary, all tied up at 1-1.

1. Vancouver looks right at home again.

The Canucks out-possessed the Flames, as expected, but Calgary turned on the jets when it mattered most. Bob Hartley’s crew fired five shot attempts in the final four minutes of the third, while Vancouver mustered only one.

These Pacific Division rivals will resume play in Vancouver on Friday at 10:00 p.m. ET.

The final game of opening night in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs features a Western Canada rivalry as the Calgary Flames travel to visit the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of their first-round series. The game is the nightcap of a quadruple-header in the NHL on Wednesday, and puck drop is at 10 p.m. ET.

The Flames success story this season has been nothing but amazing. A team that he been led by Jiri Hudler, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan has made the playoffs for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The Flames are hoping to get Mark Giordano back at some point these playoffs, but the status of their best defenseman is still way up in the air.