Tag: Mark Lehtonen

Expert hockey insights and analysis from former coach Mark Lehtonen. Covering team strategies, player performance, and tactical breakdowns to give fans a deeper understanding of the game.

Martin Nečas commits to Colorado long-term - Avalanche lock in their speed weapon for 8 years

Martin Nečas Signs 8-Year Contract With Colorado Avalanche | IHM News

by IHM Team | IHM News | October 30, 2025

The Colorado Avalanche locked in a key piece of their future, signing forward Martin Nečas to an eight-year contract. The 26-year-old winger, who could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season, chose long-term stability in Denver after a blistering start and seamless fit with Colorado’s core.

Nečas opened the year on an eight-game point streak and already sits at 13 points in 11 games, bringing elite transition speed to the Avs top six. Since arriving via the blockbuster three-team trade last January that sent Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to Carolina, Nečas has produced 40 points in his first 38 games in burgundy and blue. That is the fastest start for a newcomer since the franchise moved to Denver.

“Having a full camp here, being with the guys, it just felt right,” Nečas said. “This is a special group. I wanted to commit.”

A former 12th overall pick, Nečas now cements himself alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar as part of Colorado’s championship window. He has 339 career points and continues to evolve into a dynamic dual-threat scoring driver. He was also among the first six players named to Team Czechia’s preliminary roster for Milano Cortina 2026.

Why Colorado Moved Fast

General manager Chris McFarland called Nečas “an electric top-line winger entering his prime.” Players with that speed and play-driving ability almost never hit the market. You either draft them or pay a steep price. Colorado did both: acquired the profile in a bold trade, then kept him before free agency could complicate the picture.

What The Numbers Say

13 points in 11 games to start the season
8-game point streak out of the gate
40 points in first 38 Avalanche games since the trade
339 NHL points overall across Carolina and Colorado

Production is only part of the story. Nečas extends possessions, attacks with pace, and fits Colorado’s pressure identity. He is a clean schematic match.

Coach Mark Lehtonen’s Take

“Smart move from both sides. Nečas fits Colorado’s speed and pressure style. He extends plays, attacks downhill, and creates off motion. You do not let those guys walk. For the Avs, it is about keeping a Cup window wide open. For Nečas, it is about the right room and a winning standard. He has earned this.”

IHM Verdict

This is the kind of deal that stabilizes a contender. Colorado keeps a prime-age top-line winger who fits their identity and timeline. For Nečas, it is clarity and a real shot at rings in Denver.

Author: IHM Team | Commentary by Coach Mark Lehtonen

Category: IHM News | Date: October 30, 2025

IHM NHL Rumors · Ovechkin Return Rumor Shakes the League · Kadri to Canadiens, Wolf Growls, Canucks Cornered

Flyers’ Travis Konecny Extension Already Aging Poorly | IHM News

Flyers’ Travis Konecny Extension Is Aging Horribly – and It’s Only Year One

by IHM Team | IHM News | October 28, 2025

When the Philadelphia Flyers gave Travis Konecny an eight-year, $70 million extension in July 2024, it looked bold – maybe even visionary. But less than a year later, that deal already looks like a time bomb.

A Rebuild With a Veteran Core

General manager Daniel Brière made the deal knowing the Flyers were still rebuilding. Konecny’s new cap hit – $8.75 million – makes him the highest-paid player in team history. That number might fit a contender, but for a club still finding its identity, it’s becoming an anchor.

The contract runs until Konecny is 36. His supposed “prime” is being spent on a non-playoff team – and his production has fallen dramatically.

The Numbers Tell a Bleak Story

Since January 29, 2025, Konecny has scored four goals and 22 points in 39 games – an eight-goal, 46-point pace while playing over 20 minutes per night.

23rd percentile in points per 60 minutes
3rd percentile in goals per 60 minutes
Outscored 50-34 at even strength
39.7% expected goal share away from Couturier and Michkov

He’s no longer driving play; he’s just occupying space in it.

The Cam Atkinson Comparison

Before the extension was signed, some analysts warned this could become another Cam Atkinson scenario – productive 20s, steep decline post-30. That’s exactly what’s happening.

Atkinson’s contract with Columbus became a cap casualty before he retired in 2025. Konecny’s could become an even more expensive version of that story.

Long-Term Risk for the Flyers

The Flyers’ rebuild depends on flexibility – cap space, youth, and patience. Konecny’s $8.75M deal through 2032 could cripple all three. Worse, his decline may overlap with Matvei Michkov’s rise – right when Philadelphia needs freedom to build around him.

Coach Mark Lehtonen’s Take

“You can justify overpaying for a veteran leader when you’re close to winning. But the Flyers aren’t there yet.
Konecny’s contract feels emotional – like paying for what he was, not what he’s becoming.
Every coach sees when a player loses that half-step – it changes everything: forecheck, timing, puck battles. I don’t think he’s finished, but unless he finds that spark soon, this deal will age like milk in the sun.”

IHM Verdict

The red flags are waving. The Flyers paid top dollar for a player already on the wrong side of his curve. Year One of eight – and the trendline points down.

Author: IHM Team | Commentary by Coach Mark Lehtonen

Category: IHM News | Date: October 28, 2025

Sidney Crosby Reaches 1,700 Points as Penguins Beat Blues 6-3 | IHM News

Sidney Crosby just became the 9th player in NHL history to reach 1,700 career points

Sidney Crosby Reaches 1,700 Points as Penguins Beat Blues 6-3 | IHM News

Crosby Hits 1,700 Points as Penguins Beat Blues 6-3

by IHM Team | IHM News | October 28, 2025

Sidney Crosby keeps rewriting hockey.

The Pittsburgh captain put up a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues, and in the process became just the ninth player in NHL history to reach 1,700 career points. The milestone was sealed on Bryan Rust’s goal early in the third period.

Crosby now sits at 1,701 career points (632 goals, 1,069 assists). Only Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, Ron Francis, Marcel Dionne, Steve Yzerman and Mario Lemieux have ever touched that level. He is second all time in Penguins history behind Lemieux.

The 38-year-old center hit 1,700 in 1,362 games. That is the fourth-fastest pace in NHL history, behind Gretzky, Lemieux and Dionne.

“This is a group of players I grew up idolizing,” Crosby said. “I never thought I’d be anywhere near them. I’m just grateful I’ve been able to play this long.”

Pittsburgh is rolling too. The Penguins improved to 7-2-1 and are now 5-0-1 in their past six.

Game Flow

Pittsburgh came out aggressive. The Penguins scored twice on their first two shots in the opening minute: Bryan Rust at 0:39 and Anthony Mantha at 0:55. St. Louis got burned immediately.

“Poor start,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Two mistakes in two minutes and their top guys made us pay.”

St. Louis did fight back. Nick Bjugstad made it 2-1, and Jordan Kyrou tied it 2-2 late in the first with a wrist shot off the rush. Kyrou extended his point streak to seven games.

But every time the Blues pushed, Crosby answered. In the second period, with the game tied, Crosby threaded a cross-ice feed to Parker Wotherspoon on a delayed penalty. Wotherspoon scored to make it 3-2.

Early in the third, Rust tipped an Erik Karlsson point shot to push it to 4-2. Crosby had the secondary assist on that goal. That was his 1,700th career point.

“To be the guy on his 1,700th point is something I’m going to remember,” Rust said.

Mathieu Joseph cut it to 4-3 for St. Louis, but Crosby answered again. He broke free, got in alone, followed his own rebound and finished to make it 5-3 with under four minutes left. Evgeni Malkin added the empty-netter for 6-3.

Tristan Jarry made 26 saves. Karlsson had three assists. Rust scored twice. Malkin posted a goal and a helper. This was not nostalgia. This was an active statement from Pittsburgh’s core.

Coach Dan Muse said after the game that the second and third periods looked much more like Penguins hockey: “You get two early and you can think it’s going to come easy. We can’t think that way. I liked our response later in the game.”

Blues Outlook

St. Louis has now dropped four straight (0-3-1). The Blues were able to push in the first and second, but never controlled the pace long enough to flip the game in their favor.

“We didn’t push well enough to take the lead and have them chase,” Montgomery said. “That’s the difference.”

Off-Ice Situation

The Penguins confirmed that an adult male fan fell from the upper concourse to the lower bowl area and was taken to a local hospital. Coach Dan Muse opened his postgame comments by saying the team’s thoughts are with that fan and his family.

Coach Mark Lehtonen’s Take (IHM Analysis)

“That is not just another stat night. You are talking about a 38-year-old center still driving games in the best league in the world. Crosby did not just collect points. He controlled momentum. When St. Louis answered, he answered back harder.
What I liked most was timing. Big plays at pressure moments. That is what elite captains do. That is why that locker room still follows him.
And for Pittsburgh overall, this looks like a veteran core that still believes. Karlsson was sharp. Malkin was sharp. Rust was hungry. If they stay healthy and keep this pace, they are not just sentimental favorites. They are dangerous.”

IHM Verdict

The Crosby story is not over. Pittsburgh is not done. Final score: Penguins 6, Blues 3.

Author: IHM Team | Commentary by Coach Mark Lehtonen

Category: IHM News | Date: October 28, 2025

IHM NHL Rumors · Ovechkin Return Rumor Shakes the League · Kadri to Canadiens, Wolf Growls, Canucks Cornered

IHM Academy - Lesson #5 · By Coach Mark Lehtonen · IHM Academy

Backchecking vs. 2-on-1 – Defensive Recovery Principles

Every transition has a heartbeat – the moment when an offensive rush turns into a defensive emergency. The 2-on-1 rush is the most dangerous situation in hockey, and how you manage it defines your team’s defensive identity. A well-executed backcheck can turn what looks like a guaranteed scoring chance into nothing more than a dump-in.

Objective

The goal of an effective backcheck against a 2-on-1 is to neutralize the secondary attacker before the puck crosses the defensive blue line. That requires instant recognition, clear communication, and synchronized effort between the lone defenseman and the tracking forward.

Structure and Communication

Recognition: The defenseman must immediately identify that support is coming from behind. The earlier they know a backchecker is present, the sooner they can close the gap on the puck carrier.
Communication: A quick, loud call – “I’ve got puck!” or “You’ve got weak side!” – eliminates confusion. The defender commits to the puck carrier while the backchecker locks onto the trailer.
Gap Control: The defenseman’s stick must take away the middle of the ice. By controlling the passing lane early, the puck carrier is forced wide or into a low-percentage shot.

Backchecker Responsibilities

Skate through the middle: The backchecker must attack with speed through the center lane. Their feet never stop until they are goal-side of the weak-side forward.
Stick on stick: Arriving late is fine – arriving lazy isn’t. The backchecker must eliminate the weak-side player’s stick immediately to deny any pass or rebound.
Read the defenseman’s body: If the defender angles the puck carrier outside, the backchecker closes inside. If the defense steps up early, the backchecker supports from behind to recover loose pucks.

Defender’s Tactics

Close the gap early: Once the defender knows there’s support coming, they can step up on the puck carrier confidently.
Stick positioning: Blade flat to the ice, inside-out angle – the goal is to make the pass across impossible.
Force to the boards: Keep body between puck and net, forcing a shot from a poor angle.

Transition Mindset

Great backchecking is not about speed – it’s about *commitment*. The moment your forwards realize the play has turned, their first three strides must be full effort backward. The earlier they engage, the easier it is for the defenseman to control space. A disciplined team transforms broken plays into controlled recoveries.

Coach Mark Lehtonen says:

“Every 2-on-1 starts as a 3-on-2 that died. You kill it by effort and communication. The backchecker doesn’t save the day – he erases the mistake before it becomes one.”

Summary

Backchecking versus a 2-on-1 is about unity. The defenseman controls space; the backchecker controls the weak side. Together, they turn panic into control. When both players trust the system, the 2-on-1 becomes just another rush – not a highlight reel against you.

Learn more defensive transition tactics and recovery reads at IHM Academy.

IHM Academy – Lesson #4 By Coach Mark Lehtonen · IHM Academy

IHM Academy - Lesson #4 By Coach Mark Lehtonen · IHM Academy

Designing Offense from the Draw - The Circle Attack

Face-offs in the offensive zone are not random battles. At the higher levels, they are scripted attacks. The Circle Attack is a set play built to generate an immediate scoring chance within seconds of winning the draw. The goal is not just to gain possession - it’s to attack with speed before the defenders can organize.

Objective

The goal of this play is to have the center win the puck backward into space so that the net-side winger can explode around the face-off circle, collect the puck in stride, and attack downhill with multiple options. This movement forces the defense to turn, chase, and react instead of defending in structure.

Roles and Timing

Center (C): The center’s job is not to just “win it back.” The puck must be directed to a spot, not a scramble. The ideal placement is just behind the inside hashmark of the circle, where your winger will arrive with speed.
Net-front winger: Starts low, near the crease. On the drop, this winger immediately loops around the top of the circle. That looping route is the heart of the play - they become the first puck carrier at full speed, not standing still on the wall.
Weak-side winger: Slides into soft ice high in the slot or weak side circle. This player becomes the “release valve.” If defenders collapse on the puck carrier, that weak-side forward is wide open for a one-touch shot.
Defensemen (D1 / D2): Hold width and stay ready on the blue line. One of them rotates middle for a potential high shot, the other stays spread to keep the PK honest. If nobody is pressured, that high option becomes a clean point shot through traffic.

Primary Reads for the Puck Carrier

Drive the net: Attack the goalie immediately. If the defender is behind you, take it straight to the crease. This forces panic, rebounds, penalties, chaos - all good things for you.
Feed the middle: If both defenders collapse to stop the drive, the puck carrier can hit the trailing forward in the slot. That’s often the best shot of the entire sequence: inside hashmark, goalie moving, defenders turning.
Wrap and extend: If there’s no clean lane, continue behind the net. Now the team flows into a controlled offensive cycle. You didn’t lose the puck. You just turned the face-off win into set offensive zone time.

Why This Play Works

This system attacks the one moment when the defending team is weakest: right after the draw. Defenders are still tied up on sticks and bodies, the goalie’s sightlines aren’t set yet, and coverage assignments aren’t sorted. You are hitting them before they get organized.

Coaches like this play because it creates speed without requiring a risky stretch pass. All five of your skaters know their first movement before the puck even touches the ice. That’s what separates structure from chaos.

Coach Mark Lehtonen says:

“We don’t ‘hope’ to get a chance off the draw - we design one. The Circle Attack is timing, discipline, and trust. Your winger has to believe the puck is going to that spot. Your center has to put it there. That’s execution.”

Summary

The Circle Attack is how smart teams weaponize the offensive zone face-off. You’re not just winning a puck - you’re building a scoring chance in advance. When this play is timed correctly, the defense is already under pressure before they’ve even found the puck.

For more offensive design, special teams structure, and pro-level detail, explore IHM Academy. Learn hockey the way coaches teach it.

IHM Academy – Lesson #3 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy – Lesson #3 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

Penalty Kill Forecheck Explained

Penalty Kill Forecheck - Coaching Diagram

The penalty kill is not just about surviving. The best teams use it to control momentum, dictate entries, and steal time. A well-structured penalty kill forecheck can frustrate even elite power plays by forcing dump-ins, cutting passing options, and delaying clean possession.

The Purpose of the PK Forecheck

When a team goes short-handed, the objective is twofold – deny clean entry and force turnovers before the puck ever sets up in the zone. A strong PK forecheck disrupts the power play at its source: transition. You never let them enter with control; you make them chase the puck 200 feet.

Typical PK Forecheck Structures

1. Diamond (Passive Read)

The Diamond setup is used when protecting a lead or facing a high-skill power play. F1 pressures up ice only if the puck is loose; F2 and F3 angle toward the boards, forming the top of the diamond. The defensemen stay deeper, controlling the middle and forcing the breakout wide. This structure delays puck movement and eats up seconds – time is your best defense.

2. Wedge +1 (Aggressive Read)

The Wedge +1 is the modern standard. It combines pressure and containment. The “+1” (F1) attacks the puck carrier immediately after a turnover or dump-in, while the other three players form a compact triangle or wedge behind. The shape flexes with the play – when one pushes, the others collapse and reset the wall.

This system works because it allows one player to pressure aggressively without breaking the box. The wedge rotates as one unit; each read triggers a collective motion, not an individual chase.

Entry Denial

The penalty kill forecheck begins at the offensive blue line. F1 angles the puck toward the boards, while F2 mirrors through the middle. Both defensemen hold the red line – never backing in early. The goal is to make the puck carrier either dump the puck or send a risky lateral pass under pressure. Every second the opponent spends retrieving the puck is a small victory.

Key Coaching Points

Short routes, big results: Don’t chase. Skate only as far as you can force a bad pass. Short bursts win the clock.
Stick in lane: On the PK, your stick is your best weapon – keep it extended, take away options.
Stay layered: Every movement should reveal a second defender behind. Never a single line of defense.
Pressure with purpose: A good PK doesn’t just clear the puck – it clears with possession and exits smartly.

Coach Mark Lehtonen says:

“A penalty kill that just survives is weak. A penalty kill that pressures is dangerous. When you force them to reset three times before entry – that’s when frustration sets in. Smart pressure wins more than blocked shots.”

Summary

The Penalty Kill Forecheck is where discipline meets aggression. It’s not a passive retreat – it’s a controlled attack designed to deny comfort. When executed properly, it changes the entire rhythm of the game. The opponent might have five skaters, but you control the ice.

Learn more systems and tactics in IHM Academy – where real hockey IQ begins.

IHM Academy - Lesson #2 By Coach Mark Lehtonen · IHM Academy

Elite Offensive Structure, Forecheck & Neutral Zone Systems

A complete pro-level module covering modern offensive structure, forechecking systems, neutral-zone tactics, transition principles, and elite special teams concepts. All lessons are authored in the signature style of Coach Mark Lehtonen for the IHM Academy.

Power Play Overload → Umbrella Rotation By Coach Mark Lehtonen · IHM Academy

IHM Academy - Lesson #11 · By Coach Mark Lehtonen

Cinematic hockey banner of an east-west deceptive cycle with metallic IHM Academy Lesson #10 title

IHM Academy - Lesson #10 · By Coach Mark Lehtonen

Cinematic hockey banner showing a neutral-zone turnover exploding into counter-attack, with metallic title IHM Academy - Lesson #9

IHM Academy - Lesson #9 · By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy - Lesson #8 Neutral Zone Face-Off Loss

IHM Academy - Lesson #8 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy - Lesson #7 Neutral Zone Face-Off Win - Lane Activation & Speed Release

IHM Academy - Lesson #7 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

Gap Control & Angling - Controlling Speed and Space | IHM Academy (Coach Mark Lehtonen)

IHM Academy - Lesson #6 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy - Lesson #5 · By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy - Lesson #4 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy – Lesson #3 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

HM Academy - Lesson #2’ and ‘Neutral Zone Forecheck · 1-2-2’.By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy - Lesson #2 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

2-1-2 forecheck hockey system diagram - IHM Academy by Coach Mark Lehtonen.

IHM Academy - Lesson #1 By Coach Mark Lehtonen

IHM Academy - Lesson #2 By Coach Mark Lehtonen · IHM Academy

Neutral Zone Forecheck 1-2-2 Explained

The neutral zone decides who controls the game. If you slow teams there, you control the tempo. If you lose it, you chase all night. The 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck is a modern structure used to shut down transition attacks, force low-percentage entries, and turn mistakes into instant counter-attacks.

Neutral Zone 1-2-2 Forecheck Explained - IHM Academy by Coach Mark Lehtonen

What is the 1-2-2?

The numbers describe the shape. 1 forward applies the first layer of pressure. 2 forwards form a second layer across the width of the neutral zone. 2 defensemen sit behind that, controlling space and stepping up when the puck gets funneled to a predictable lane.

This is not a full-speed chase. It’s controlled pressure. You are not trying to steal the puck immediately – you are trying to force the puck into a decision you already prepared for.

Player Responsibilities

F1 – The first pressure

F1 is your trigger. This forward angles (forces) the puck carrier toward one side of the ice, ideally toward the boards. The key is angle, not speed. Bad F1s just skate fast. Good F1s steer the puck where the structure wants it.

If F1 chases straight through the middle, the entire 1-2-2 collapses. F1 must close time and space while taking away the middle lane.

F2 and F3 – The wall

F2 and F3 sit behind F1 and stretch horizontally across the neutral zone. Think of them as a moving barrier. One forward covers the strong side (the side where the puck is being pushed), the other covers the weak side.

Their job is to read the next pass. If the puck moves to the wall, the strong-side forward steps up and attacks. If the puck gets reversed or cut back to the middle, the weak-side forward jumps and kills that option.

Good 1-2-2 teams make the puck carrier feel like there’s open ice ahead - and then shut that lane right as the pass is released.

D1 and D2 – The gatekeepers

D1 and D2 hold a tight, aggressive gap behind the forwards. They are not passively “backing in.” They’re stalking the next move. The second the puck is funneled to the boards, the strong-side defenseman can step up on the entry, finish the body, and break the play.

The other defenseman shifts to middle ice and protects against a slip pass or a chip-and-chase behind the line. This prevents odd-man rushes against.

Why coaches love 1-2-2 in the neutral zone

It kills speed. Fast teams hate this system. You’re not letting them enter the zone with control; you’re forcing them to dump the puck early.
It creates predictable exits for you. When you win the puck on the wall, you already have F2 or F3 close enough to turn it the other way. You don’t just defend – you counter.
Low risk, high control. It’s safer than an all-in forecheck like 2-1-2 because you always keep numbers behind the puck. You’re rarely caught in an odd-man rush if everyone does their job.

Common mistakes that break the system

F1 overcommits straight-line. If F1 flies past the puck and doesn’t angle, the opponent just hits the middle with speed. That’s a free controlled entry against you.
F2 and F3 get too deep. The “2-2” line must stay in the neutral zone, not drift back to their own blue line. If they sag, you give the opponent the red line for free.
Defense backing in too early. D1 and D2 must hold the line mentally. If they just retreat, the structure dies. The whole point is to meet the puck at pressure points, not surrender ice.

Coach Mark Lehtonen says:

“People think 1-2-2 is passive. It’s not. It’s controlled aggression. You’re not chasing the puck – you’re telling the puck where to go. Good teams don’t hunt chaos. They create it on their terms.”

When to use the 1-2-2

Teams will lean on this structure when they’re protecting a lead, when they’re playing a dangerous transition opponent, or when the bench is tired and needs to control the pace. It’s also a go-to system on big ice (international hockey), where straight high-speed rushes are deadly if you give too much room in the neutral zone.

Summary

The 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck is about discipline, spacing, and funneling the puck into pressure instead of gambling for a steal. You slow their transition, you take away the middle of the ice, and you force them to give you the puck on your terms. That’s intelligent hockey.

For more tactical lessons, visit IHM Academy – we break down systems, structure, and hockey IQ the way players actually hear it in the room.

Celebrini Leads Sharks to 6-5 OT Win Over Wild

Celebrini Stays Red Hot as Sharks Beat Wild 6-5 in Overtime | IHM News

by IHM Team | IHM News | October 27, 2025

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The San Jose Sharks’ young core delivered again, as Macklin Celebrini capped a three-point night with the overtime winner, sealing a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena on Sunday.

Celebrini, who also added two assists, extended his point streak to four games (five goals, five assists). The 19-year-old rookie was unleashed on a breakaway after goaltender Yaroslav Askarov kicked out a huge rebound, racing down the ice to finish calmly and silence the Minnesota crowd.

“I’m playing with really good players,” Celebrini said post-game. “We’ve been clicking, supporting each other – I just happened to be in the right spots tonight.”

Momentum Swings and Rookie Firepower

It was a rollercoaster game where the Sharks squandered multiple leads but refused to break. William Eklund tallied two goals and an assist, while rookie Michael Misa scored his first NHL goal on a rebound near the crease. “It’s the easiest first goal I could ask for,” Misa joked. “You just have to go to the net and good things happen.”

Despite their struggles this season, the Sharks showed character and composure – an element coach Ryan Warsofsky praised after the game: “We woke them up with some penalties, but we responded well. These kids are learning fast.”

Wild Fight Back but Fall Short

The Wild clawed their way back thanks to Joel Eriksson Ek’s late goal that tied the game 5-5 with under three minutes left in regulation. Kirill Kaprizov and Brock Faber each had three assists, while Ryan Hartman and Marco Rossi added a goal and an assist apiece. “We fought back hard,” Hartman said. “But we’ve got to clean up the defensive zone – we can’t give up that many rush chances.”

Head coach John Hynes echoed that frustration: “One mistake in overtime cost us. But we’ll take the positives – the battle level was there.”

Coach Mark’s Take

Coach Mark Lehtonen, exclusive analyst for IHM, shared his take on the thrilling finish:

“Celebrini looks more and more like a future franchise cornerstone – poise, timing, decision-making, it’s all there. You can tell this group’s building chemistry. But for Minnesota, it’s another example of how fragile confidence can be – six losses in seven games says everything.”

Final Score: San Jose Sharks 6, Minnesota Wild 5 (OT)

Next Game: The Sharks return home to face the Colorado Avalanche, while the Wild will try to rebound against the Winnipeg Jets.

Author: IHM Team | Commentary by Coach Mark Lehtonen

Category: IHM News | Date: October 27, 2025

IHM NHL Rumors · Ovechkin Return Rumor Shakes the League · Kadri to Canadiens, Wolf Growls, Canucks Cornered

Flames Finally Breathe: Calgary Ends 8-Game Skid With Statement Win Over Rangers

by IHM Team | IHM News | October 27, 2025

The Calgary Flames finally got what they’ve been starving for: relief.

After eight straight losses, Calgary came out with energy, execution, and pride in a 5-1 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday night. It was the first time all season the Flames scored more than three goals in a game – and it did not look like an accident.

This was pressure hockey from a team that’s been under fire for two weeks.

Fast Start, Loud Message

The Flames struck early. Less than two minutes in, Nazem Kadri opened the scoring off a sharp give-and-go with Jonathan Huberdeau, ripping a clean wrister high glove on Igor Shesterkin.

Calgary doubled the lead midway through the first on Kevin Bahl’s first of the season, another high-glove snipe from distance. Same spot. Same result. Shesterkin never saw it clean.

The Rangers did answer right away – literally seconds later – with Noah Laba scoring his first career NHL goal in his 10th game, cutting it to 2-1. But that was as close as New York would get.

From that moment on, Calgary controlled the game.

Middle Frame: Stabilize, Then Punish

The second period didn’t have the chaos of the first. It had something more important for Calgary: control.

About halfway through the frame, Yegor Sharangovich made it 3-1 with his first of the season. That goal also snapped Connor Zary’s eight-game drought without a point. That’s not a small detail. Calgary needs the middle of the lineup to wake up. It woke up.

At that point you could feel it on the bench. This wasn’t just “please let us hang on.” This was “we’re taking this.”

Third Period: Coleman Slams the Door

The Flames then finished like a team that remembered how to win.

Blake Coleman scored twice in the third to blow the game open.
- First, a textbook shorthanded two-on-one with Mikael Backlund.
- Then, another one that beat Shesterkin from range, again with Backlund on the setup.

Final score: 5-1 Calgary.

It was ruthless. It was needed. And it was overdue.

Calgary has now scored eight goals in its last two games. That matches their total from the previous six combined. For a team that sat dead last in the league in offense, that matters.

Coach Mark Lehtonen’s Comment

“That’s what urgency looks like. You could feel a different mentality from Calgary shift after all the talk this week about trades and changes. Kadri set the tone right away. Coleman and Backlund finished the job like pros.
What I really liked: Calgary didn’t panic with the puck. They didn’t force plays through the middle. They played direct, used support, and attacked downhill.
If this is who they actually are, not just one good night, then the conversation in Calgary changes fast.”

What’s Next

These two teams meet only once more this season, in March at Madison Square Garden. That one is going to feel different now.

Next up:
- The Flames face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
- The Rangers go to Vancouver to play the Canucks.

Both opponents can score. We’re about to learn if Calgary just broke the skid… or actually turned a corner.

IHM Verdict

The losing streak is dead.
Kadri looked like a driver, not a passenger.
Coleman and Backlund closed like killers.
Calgary finally punched back.

This is the version of the Flames the rest of the league hoped would stay asleep.

Senators Dominate Capitals 7-1 – Washington Collapses in Ovechkin’s 1500th Game