Celebrating the Florida Panthers’ remarkable back-to-back Stanley Cup victories, fans are set to gather in droves along Fort Lauderdale beach for a parade that promises to be a vibrant tribute to their heroes. Last year's event drew an astonishing 200,000 fans, despite challenging weather conditions, showcasing the region's passionate hockey culture. This year, high temperatures and rain may pose challenges, but the excitement remains palpable.

The parade begins at noon, with players engaging with fans, displaying their enthusiasm and camaraderie. Expect highlights such as beer poured from the Stanley Cup, and memorable moments reminiscent of previous celebrations, like Ryan Lomberg's iconic crowd-surfing experience. With events kicking off earlier in the week, the celebrations are a testament to the thriving hockey community in South Florida.

Calgary Flames secured a vital 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, with Mikael Backlund firing the opening goal and contributions from Yegor Sharangovich, Nazem Kadri, and Ryan Lomberg. This win marks Calgary's ascent to just three points behind the wild-card spots in the Western Conference, bolstered by a five-game point streak (3-0-2). Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf shined with 16 saves, improving his record to 27-16-8.

Despite a late two-goal rally from the Wild's Yakov Trenin and Gustav Nyquist, Calgary maintained control throughout, dominating in crucial moments. Their penalty kill showcased notable improvement, neutralizing Minnesota's power plays effectively. As the race for the playoffs intensifies, Calgary is set to host the San Jose Sharks next, while Minnesota faces a challenging matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.

Yegor Sharangovich's shootout goal propelled the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, breaking a seven-game losing streak against them. After falling behind 2-0, the Flames rallied with goals from Ryan Lomberg and Adam Klapka in quick succession during the third period. Dan Vladar made crucial saves, including three in the shootout, aiding the Flames in keeping their playoff hopes alive.

For the Avalanche, Cale Makar and Logan O’Connor found the net, but the team is now on a two-game home losing streak. Notably, Nathan MacKinnon extended his point streak to 25 games. Makar is tantalizingly close to becoming the first NHL defenseman to score 30 goals since Mike Green in 2009. The upcoming schedule sees the Flames facing the Utah Hockey Club, while the Avalanche will visit the Chicago Blackhawks.

Logan Thompson's outstanding performance in goal led the Washington Capitals to a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, as he made 32 saves. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Dylan Strome, who scored the game-winner, and Aliaksei Protas netted for the Capitals, who now have a record of 34-11-5, tying them with the Winnipeg Jets at the top of the NHL standings. Blake Coleman scored the only goal for the Flames, who remain in the playoff hunt.

Thompson, fresh off a lucrative six-year contract extension, has been exceptional, boasting an impressive 11-0-1 record over his last dozen starts. The young goalkeeper staved off an early barrage of shots from the Flames, recording standout saves against Ryan Lomberg and Nazem Kadri. The Capitals’ win reinforces their status as a top contender in the league, while the Flames cling to their playoff position, just ahead of the Vancouver Canucks.

The Calgary Flames entered 2025 in a surprising position, holding a playoff spot in the NHL's Western Conference after a decisive 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Center Nazem Kadri expressed disbelief at the team's performance, highlighting that many had low expectations following significant trades that sent veteran players like Jacob Markstrom and Elias Lindholm away. Kadri emphasized the importance of perseverance throughout the season, acknowledging that there is still much hockey to be played.

Forward Ryan Lomberg, who joined the Flames after winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating he didn't join to lose. He noted the camaraderie developing within the team, evidenced by the physical play in their recent game, which featured multiple fights. Flames head coach Ryan Huska praised the emotional intensity of the game, indicating a positive shift in the team's dynamics.

Key players like Jonathan Huberdeau and emerging talent Connor Zary have contributed significantly to the Flames' unexpected success. Huberdeau leads the team in scoring, while Zary continues to develop as a promising young player. Goaltender Dustin Wolf has also been instrumental, boasting a strong home record. The Flames are focused on maintaining their playoff position and proving skeptics wrong as they prepare for upcoming challenges.