Let’s be honest, the shootout can feel like a cruel way to decide a hockey game. After 65 minutes of intense, team-driven hockey, it comes d

Calgary Flames Shootout Strategy: Player Selection, Scouting & Execution

Let’s be honest, the shootout can feel like a cruel way to decide a hockey game. After 65 minutes of intense, team-driven hockey, it comes down to a series of one-on-one duels. For the Calgary Flames, turning these high-pressure moments from a coin flip into a calculated advantage is crucial, especially in a tight Pacific Division and Western Conference race. A well-crafted shootout strategy isn't just about having skilled players; it's a blend of psychology, preparation, and in-the-moment decision-making.

This season, with every point being precious, mastering the shootout could be the difference between a playoff spot and an early summer. So, how do the Flames build a winning shootout blueprint? It’s a process that involves the entire organization, from the GM’s desk to the goalie’s crease. Here’s your practical guide to understanding and executing a Flames shootout strategy.

What You'll Need to Build a Shootout Plan

Before we dive into the steps, you need the right components. For the Flames, this isn't just about pulling names from a hat. A functional strategy requires:

A Willing and Analytical Coaching Staff: Head coach Ryan Huska and his team must prioritize shootout practice and be open to data and video scouting. This isn't an optional extra.
A Designated Shootout Coordinator: Often a goalie coach or assistant coach takes this role. They are responsible for tracking shooter success rates, opponent goalie tendencies, and running practice drills.
Player Buy-In: Skaters need to work on their moves in practice without ego. It’s about finding what works for the team, not just showcasing individual flair.
Goalie Confidence: Jacob Markström isn’t just a passive participant. His success in the shootout is foundational, and his feedback on shooter tendencies is gold.
Access to Video & Data: Modern systems track everything: which players score most, on which goalies, and with which moves. Which side does Jonathan Huberdeau prefer? What’s Nazem Kadri’s go-to deke? This info is critical.

The Step-by-Step Process to Shootout Success

Building a game-ready shootout strategy is a cycle that happens before, during, and after the game.

Step 1: The Internal Audit – Building Your Own Roster

You can’t scout the opponent until you know your own arsenal. This starts long before game day. GM Craig Conroy builds a roster with skill, but it’s up to the coaching staff to categorize their shooters.

Hold Regular Shootout Practice Segments: Don’t just do this in October. Make it a weekly ritual. Create game-like pressure with consequences.
Categorize Your Shooters: Not all players are the same. You need a mix:
The Specialists: These are your go-to, high-success-rate players. Think a player like Connor Zary, who has the hands and creativity to be a primary option.
The Momentum Players: Someone like Nazem Kadri, who can use sheer will and a variety of shots. He’s a great choice if you need a gritty response.
The Deception Artists: Jonathan Huberdeau fits here. His ability to slow down, use patience, and disguise his release can baffle goalies.
The Wild Cards: Sometimes you need an unexpected look later in the order—a defenseman with soft hands or a rookie with nothing to lose.
Establish a Confidence-Based Order: Your first shooter should be your most reliable. Your third shooter is often your most clutch. The order communicated to players before the shootout builds confidence, not confusion.

Step 2: The External Scouting – Knowing the Enemy Goalie

This is where homework pays off. Every goalie in the league has tendencies, and the Flames’ video team must highlight them.

Review Recent Shootout Footage: How did this goalie fare in his last three shootouts? What moves beat him? Did he go down early? Was he aggressive on poke-checks?
Identify Weaknesses: Does he have a weak glove side? Does he struggle with players who go five-hole on a delay? Does he overcommit to players who drive wide?
Match Your Shooter to the Weakness: This is the key. If the opposing goalie is aggressive, you send a player like Huberdeau who can pull the puck around him. If the goalie is deep in his crease, you instruct your shooters to pick corners. This strategic matching is what turns a 50/50 chance into a 70/30 advantage.

For more on how the Flames build tactical advantages in other game situations, check out our deep dive on Flames Faceoff Strategy & Tactical Breakdown.

Step 3: The In-Game Execution – Adapting on the Fly

The puck has dropped, the game is tied after overtime, and the C of Red at the Scotiabank Saddledome is on its feet. The plan is set, but hockey requires adaptation.

The Coach’s Decision: Head coach Ryan Huska, with input from his staff, finalizes the three-shooter order based on the game’s flow. Who has the hot hands? Who looks confident?
The Goalie’s Role: Jacob Markström’s job is to get at least one save. More importantly, he needs to project calmness. A big early save can rattle the opposing shooters and energize the entire bench and the Dome.
The Shooter’s Mentality: Players must stick to their strengths but be prepared to abort. If the goalie takes away the initial move, having a backup plan—like a simple shot—is better than losing the puck entirely. Confidence is everything; hesitation is fatal.

Step 4: The Post-Shootout Review – Learning for Next Time

Win or lose, the process isn’t over. This is how you build long-term competency.

Debrief with Shooters and Goalie: What did they see? Did the scouting report match reality? This feedback refines future reports.
Update Internal Success Rates: Track everything. This data informs next week’s practice and the next shootout order.
Maintain Psychological Resilience: A shootout loss in a Battle of Alberta stings. The staff’s job is to ensure it doesn’t create a mental block for next time. It’s a skill contest, not a reflection of team worth.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pro Tips:
Practice the "Walk-In": Many players only practice the move from the hash marks. They need to practice the entire approach from center ice to build comfort.
Use Your Goalie in Practice: Have Markström (or the backup) study and call out opponent tendencies while facing Flames shooters. It trains both parties.
Have a "Fourth Shooter" in Mind: Games can go beyond three rounds. Know who your fourth, fifth, and sixth options are before you need them.
Speed Variation is Key: The most dangerous shooters can change speeds. A slow approach followed by a quick release is incredibly hard to read.

Common Mistakes:
Over-Complicating the Move: A simple, well-executed wrist shot is better than a failed lacrosse move. Players trying to be too fancy often lose the puck.
Ignoring the Data: Going with a "gut feeling" over a player’s documented shootout success rate is a gamble. Trust the process.
Letting a Miss Affect the Next Shooter: Leadership on the bench is key. A missed opportunity needs to be met with support, not slumped shoulders.
* Neglecting the Mental Game: Not preparing players for the silence, the spotlight, and the pressure of the Saddledome crowd is a missed opportunity. Embrace it.

Your Flames Shootout Strategy Checklist

To turn the shootout from a weakness into a weapon, follow this actionable checklist:

• Conduct weekly, high-pressure shootout practice sessions.


• Audit and categorize your roster’s shooters (Specialists, Momentum, Deception, Wild Cards).


• Establish a primary three-shooter order based on confidence and success rates.


• Scout the opposing goalie’s recent shootout tendencies and weaknesses.


• Match your shooter’s strengths to the identified goalie weaknesses.


• Designate a coach (e.g., goalie coach) as the shootout coordinator.


• Debrief with Jacob Markström on opponent shooter habits.


• Finalize the in-game order based on player momentum and confidence.


• Ensure shooters have a primary move and a simple backup plan.


• Conduct a post-shootout review to update data and gather feedback.


• Prepare a list of shooters for rounds four and beyond.

By treating the shootout with the same strategic importance as a power play or penalty kill, the Calgary Flames can secure those extra points that define a season. In the grind of the 2023-24 NHL season, a refined, repeatable process here could be what ultimately punches their ticket in the Western Conference. For a broader look at how the Flames build their game plan, explore our hub on Flames Team Strategy & Tactics.