The Calgary Flames of 2019-20 are quite different from the team they were last year. That includes their shootout performance too. In 2018-19, the Flames went 0-4 in the shootout. This season, they’re 6-1. How did they turn the script inside out with such a drastic difference in the shootout?

Let’s breakdown what ensued during their shootouts this year and see if anything can be figured out.

The visualisation

I wanted to create a data visualisation that was clear, unique, and closer to data art than usual charts. I revisited each shootout and looked at the types of shots that were taken. Custom symbols were created for each shot type, and whether they’re filled or outlined indicates a goal versus no goal. The Flames’ attempts are red while their opponents are black.

The intent of the visualisation is to see how the Flames approached shootouts this year. Without further ado, here’s how everything unfolded for the Flames.

Observations

In an ideal viewer perspective, shootouts would be banished in favour of longer overtimes. There’s more entertainment that way, and losing due to a shootout just never feels right. However, winning during a shootout is still a win and the Flames managed to do it six times. Simply euphoric.

To sum it up, most of the credit for the Flames’ shootout success this year deservedly goes to Rittich. He’s the difference maker. Between Monahan and Tkachuk, usually at least one of the two were able to score and with Rittich shutting the door on his end, the rest is history.