5 Keys To Success For Calgary Flames In 2015

By Shaun Lavery

5 Keys To Success For Calgary Flames In 2015

Calgary Flames Keys To Success In 2015 — Going into their Dec. 31 contest with the Edmonton Oilers, the Calgary Flames have won three straight games and are two points out of second in the Pacific Division. That's not a bad way to end the calendar year. Here are five things the Flames need in order to continue the success in 2015, giving them the best shot at the playoffs.

5. Listen to Coach Hartley

Bob Hartley Calgary Flames 2014-15

5. Listen to Coach Hartley

Bob Hartley Calgary Flames 2014-15 — Now in his third season as head coach of the Flames, Bob Hartley and the players should be on the same page. With lots of youth and inexperience in Calgary’s locker-room, Hartley is always looked upon for guidance. He’s won a cup before, so as a rookie, or any player, I would listen to him. Hartley and the players seem to have a good relationship already, and it needs to carry into 2015 for the best chance of success as a team.

4. Continue to Trust the Young Players

Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames 2014-15

4. Continue to Trust the Young Players

Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames 2014-15 — Guys like Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Josh Jooris have all been productive this season for the Flames. But they are all still young guys just coming into the NHL, so mistakes are bound to be made. They’ve proven they can play at this level already, so the Flames’ staff must trust them and let them learn from their mistakes as opposed to sitting them on the bench.

3. Depth In Offense

Calgary Flames December 2014-15

3. Depth In Offense

Calgary Flames December 2014-15 — This is something that is helpful to every team in the NHL, especially the Flames. They have guys who are consistently capable of putting the puck in the net on the top two lines, but the bottom two are a little more hit or miss. You can’t expect them to be the leading goal scorers, but it is important for the bottom half of the lineup to have the ability to score the timely goal when a team needs it most.

2. Strong Goaltending

Jonas Hiller Calgary Flames 2014-15

2. Strong Goaltending

Jonas Hiller Calgary Flames 2014-15 — The Flames have been rolling with two goaltenders for the majority of the season, which has served them well for the most part. Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo compete every day to figure out who starts, and coach Hartley usually goes with the hot hand. Both Hiller and Ramo need to continue their strong play that they’ve had for the majority of the season; the Flames really do depend on them playing well every night.

1. Confidence

Calgary Flames

1. Confidence

Calgary Flames — This was a team that was not supposed to be competitive at all this year, but they have played well to start the season. They’ve beaten the L.A. Kings twice, so that alone should give the team a boost in confidence going forward. The Flames have to believe in themselves; they must know they are capable of anything. Confidence breeds success, so the Flames shouldn’t be afraid to be confident in 2015.

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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