How to not suck?

[NAHSTE]

Passing is so frustrating in this game, probably about 1 out of every 3 passes goes to where I intended it to, I miss so many break aways or offensive chances because of the passing.

Also, does everybody play with the Canucks? Or is it just me who keeps running into Luongo?

[leaffan]

Passing is so frustrating in this game, probably about 1 out of every 3 passes goes to where I intended it to, I miss so many break aways or offensive chances because of the passing.

Also, does everybody play with the Canucks? Or is it just me who keeps running into Luongo?

Out of the 120 to 130 1 v 1 games I've played I think I've played the canucks once or twice. With all the boosts that team got in the latest roster update though I expect to see more of it.

The passing bothers the hell out of me. I can't even explain how to do it properly.

[Ravin]

I either player the Hawks or Canadians.

Passing honestly just takes time to get use to. I think they changed the tuner on it again, but I don't seem have to many problems with passing. You'll get use to it, if not, turn off hardcore and do the manual passing I think it is called.

[leaffan]

Hardcore passing is the most annoying thing ever and I'm a sim guy.

[NAHSTE]

I'm playing only online 1-on-1 because I don't have enough knowledge to run a GM mode, and I get bored with the computer AI just playing keep away on me all game.

I'm about 17-40 on head-to-head online, using a combo of the Blackhawks, Flames, Sharks, Canadiens, Thrashers and sometimes the Caps. I can't seem to hold the puck for very long, my guys keep getting in each others way, and passing it to the opposite blue line when I try for a centering pass.

Very frustrating but I couldn't be having more fun with the game otherwise, I just love skating around, hitting people, and occasionally scoring.

[Ravin]

Honesttly, best advice. Position position position.

Play your position and know what each guy can do. If your guys are running into each other it means someone is where they shouldn't be.

Another good tip that will a) help your puck control time and b) give you scroing chances is to work the puck down low and then get it back up high. So go into the corner with the puck and circle it back to the defence. I normally take a guy if I am forced down along the boards to the goal line and sometimes go around the net, or just circle back around and pass to the defence. Then sling it across to the other blue liner. You either have a decent shot, a pass chance or you can move in with it.

The worst mistake you can make as a newbie to the world of hockey is trying to go for broke and score on impossible things. ie. don't try down ice passes to send guys on breaks unless you can get it there. And if you need to go behind your own net and slow things down, do it. Let your guys do a small break out rather then trying just walk in over the blue line, take a shot and then the puck goes the other way.

Need any more tips or ideas just ask away.

[NAHSTE]

3 more games against the Canucks, I can't get it past Luongo for shit. My power play is god awful too, it seems like I give up more shots than I take with the man advantage. Doesn't help that I blow at face offs.

[Ravin]

Faceoffs are hard at first if you are not use to them at all. It is all timing and sooner or later you'll get the timing down and be able to win most of your draws.

As far as the powerplay, the system I told you of working it low and then getting it back to the point is what you would want to do. The thing with NHL games is that, majority of the time you get guys who don't play proper and when they get the puck on a PK they skate it up the ice, rather then dumping it. I really wish EA would fix that so that on a power play, if the other team gets the puck they pressure him instead of skating away.

If I get some time, I'll make some videos if you'd like and show you some of the things I've been saying.

[NAHSTE]

Faceoffs are hard at first if you are not use to them at all. It is all timing and sooner or later you'll get the timing down and be able to win most of your draws.

As far as the powerplay, the system I told you of working it low and then getting it back to the point is what you would want to do. The thing with NHL games is that, majority of the time you get guys who don't play proper and when they get the puck on a PK they skate it up the ice, rather then dumping it. I really wish EA would fix that so that on a power play, if the other team gets the puck they pressure him instead of skating away.

If I get some time, I'll make some videos if you'd like and show you some of the things I've been saying.

Yeah that is the most annoying part about the PP. There's no need for them to play any differently so they just skate around and avoid me for a minute and a half and limit me to like 2-3 shots. It's not like how it is when I watch on TV and the offense gets to pass it around while defense is packed in bracing for a shot, they block the shot, clear it, and the offense sets back up to pass it around, rinse and repeat.

It seems like all I need to do is continue playing with the Blackhawks and posting in this thread because literally seconds after posting that my PP sucks I banged in a wrister with Pat Kane to sent it to OT, then shorthanded in OT I poke checked it away with Kane right in front of his net, and fired in the backhand to win it. Gotta love getting out shot 2-1 but scoring 2 goals in 3 minutes to win. Dude disconnected within seconds of the red light coming on.

Is it overly cheesy to use Chicago all the time? I've noticed that their defensemen are amazing at checking, and Patrick Kane is obviously a good scorer. It just seems like I play so much better with Chicago, probably have half my wins through them, so maybe they are just an easy team to use?

[PP]

use whatveer teams u want. i tried playing single player but cant after playing so mch OTP.

[Ravin]

Honestly, the most used teams are the Hawks, Penguins, and Canadians. So I say use what you want. I play one of those three every night and out of 4 games, 3 will be with them and one random person who wants to be the flyers or the sharks.

Just have to remember if you are new to hockey games, you are playing people most likely who have played before. The Powerplay thing is annoying as fuck, even more so when in your end they carry the puck all the way back to their end and waste time. Those fucks I run up the score and dance around with all day when I am on the PK.

[NAHSTE]

You just got to practice. I went from being a terrible player to a player who only loses maybe once every 25 or so games.

You a Pavel Bure fan? I used to love the Russian Rocket myself. But yeah, I've gotten better just in this week alone. Still losing 2 out of every 3 games but I'm scoring more and improving game to game.

Having a blast for the most part.

[NAHSTE]

Just beat a guy 6-0. Me (Rangers) him (Canadiens). That felt good. Aside from beating up on my beloved Habs.