Burned by the shootout… again
After watching another painful shootout loss for the Calgary Flames, I decided to do a bit of shootout research. Anyone who follows this team closely knows that their success in the shootout is abysmal at best. They don’t seem to have the right skill set in this particular facet of the game. But, how do they compare to the rest of the teams in the NHL? Since the shootout came into effect in 2005, there have been some astoundingly poor statistics for the Flames. As of tonight’s game, here are some facts:
Total Number of Shootouts: 24
This is the second worst (or best - depending on your view) in the NHL. The only team in the league with less shootouts is the Carolina Hurricanes (currently sitting at 23). Based on their shootout success, the Flames should be doing everything to keep this number as low as possible. On the flipside, the New York Rangers have participated in an incredible 50 shootouts since 2005!
Shootout Winning Percentage: 0.333
That’s good for 28th in the league, only to be outdone by Ottawa (0.286) and Philadelphia (0.31). It’s difficult to believe that the Flames can win only 1/3 of the shootouts in which they are involved. Compare that to teams like the Dallas Stars (0.73) or the New York Islanders (0.667) and it’s easy to become a frustrated Flames fan.
Shooting Percentage: 27.85%
79 attempts, only 22 goals. This percentage gets the Flames into 25th place in the league (starting to notice a trend?). Essentially only 1/4 of the shootout shots are going in the net. If you watched tonight’s game, you can see why - all three shooters simply tried to fire the puck as hard as they could through the goaltender. No dekes, no moves. After losing Huselius and Tanguay in the off-season, the Flames have been left without any real “finesse” players. The top 3 teams in the league are the Dallas Stars (42.11%), the San Jose Sharks (40.91%) and the Los Angeles Kings (40.19%).
Shootout Save Percentage: 0.589
I suppose this stat can only be blamed on one person… Kipper. This is the 27 worst save percentage in the league and is unacceptable from the highest paid goalie in the NHL. During the game, Kiprusoff has an extremely fast reaction time. He has the reflexes of a cat. However, I believe this to be his down fall as a shootout goalie. It is simple for a player to get him to commit - one quick deke later, and the puck is behind him in the back of the net.
Each time a Flames game goes to a shootout, my first thought is to turn off the TV and accept the loss. The bonus point awarded to the winning team could sure be useful down the stretch when teams are fighting for their playoff lives. A few extra points could mean the difference between 3rd place and 8th place in a competitive Western Conference. If I were Keenan, I would be spending a few practices trying to improve in this important component of the game.
December 15th, 2008 at 12:53 am
For the record, these were the Flames’ shooters in that game: Cammalleri, Bourque, Iginla.
In my mind, Glencross should be a first-three choice in every shootout. Iginla, God love him, isn’t a shootout guy. Most of his goals come from being perched in the slot and using his quick release. Glencross is always scoring goals on quick breaks 1-on-1 with a goalie.
I think Lombardi’s a little better than he was last year, so I’d call on him before Iginla, as well.
I almost wonder if we’d be well served in having McElhinney do the shoot-out duties, too. You’re dead on with the Kipper comments; 1-on-1 situations just are not his forté.
As much as the Flames could probably do with some more shoot-out practice, I think the personnel that Keenan sends on the ice for the shoot-outs could be addressed as well.