07/02/2026
🚨 The Goal Starts Before the Goal 👀
This is a highlight-reel finish by Mitch Marner, but the play is created long before he gets the puck.
Focus on Shea Theodore’s breakout.
Under heavy pressure, he doesn’t overhandle the puck or try to make a flashy play. He knows exactly where his release option is and, with one simple touch, pops the puck to William Karlsson.
Karlsson keeps it just as simple, quickly moving it to Marner for the breakaway.
There’s another detail that’s easy to miss. After making the play, Theodore turns his body to absorb the hit safely while still completing the pass. It’s a perfect example of taking a hit to make a play.
Elite hockey IQ isn’t about making difficult plays.
It’s about recognizing when the simple play is the best play.
➡️ Know your release option
➡️ No extra puck touches
➡️ Move it before pressure arrives
➡️ Take the hit to make the play
➡️ Turn defense into offense
The best plays aren’t always the flashiest.
They’re the most effective.