5 Things Calgary Flames Need To Improve Upon For 2015

By Shaun Lavery

5 Things Calgary Flames Needed To Improve Upon For 2015

Calgary Flames 2014-15 — The Calgary Flames showed flashes of being a great team and also revealed that they are a young team fighting in a relentless Western Conference over the early portion of the 2014-15 NHL season. The common cliche is “there is always room for improvement,” so here are five things the Flames need to work on in 2015.

5. Consistency

Calgary Flames Consistency 2014-15

5. Consistency

Calgary Flames Consistency 2014-15 — While the NHL is built around hot and cold streaks, the Flames need to find a way to stay competitive throughout the entirety of their schedule. They look great when they are on top of their game, but as recently proven, it is not hard to go on an eight-game losing streak.

4. Spreading the Offense

Calgary Flames Offense 2014-15

4. Spreading the Offense

Calgary Flames Offense 2014-15 — While it is great for Mark Giordano that he is leading the team in scoring, it is the forwards who should be atop the point leaders for the Flames. Players like Matt Stajan and Mason Raymond need to step it up.

3. Penalty Kill

Calgary Flames Penalty Kill 2014-15

3. Penalty Kill

Calgary Flames Penalty Kill 2014-15 — With the 28th ranked penalty kill in the NHL, the Flames most certainly need improvement on the PK. Special teams play a big role in every game and can easily change the momentum. The penalty kill should take precedence in the Flames‘ practice plans because it needs some improvement.

2. Face-Offs

Sean Monahan Faceoff Calgary Flames 2014-15

2. Face-Offs

Sean Monahan Faceoff Calgary Flames 2014-15 — While face-offs may have little importance to some, it is your first opportunity to control to game on each new play. Winning face-offs gives you the puck and the ability to turn that play into a goal. Keep in mind last year's Stanley Cup champion L.A. Kings were third in face-offs; the Flames currently find themselves in 29th.

1. Starts To Games

Calgary Flames Starts 2014-15

1. Starts To Games

Calgary Flames Starts 2014-15 — The Flames often find themselves down early, and while they have been able to produce multiple third-period comebacks, it is not a smart way to play. Over an 82-game schedule, that ability to keep coming back is sure to fade. They need to set the pace early in the game and use their speed to their advantage to put the opposition down right off the bat.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google.

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