I stink. :) Can you help a poor soul?

Here are my problems and questions:

1) When you are on a break away and go one on one against the goalie, is deking the the best way to score? I am not able to deke because every time I try to use the right stick to do so, it shoots instead of dekes. So how do you effectively deke?

2) Do you find the deking button (L1) to pass the puck around a guy really works and how often do you use it?

3) When I flip the right stick up to shoot, it's always a weak, inefective and low shot. How do I effectively take wrist shots? I don't want to have to always take a slap shot.

4) I tried playing on the Internet a few times and it seems like some guys really check effectively (you can see the players giving checks). I can't seem to get my defenders to check period. How do you do good checks?

5) What are keys to scoring?

6) How do you do "one timer" passes? Is it a timing thing or the right buttons to press?

7) What exactly is a saucer pass and when does it work well?

8) What view do you like to use (Ice, Action, etc.)?

9) What is the key to playing good defense?

10) When you play on-line, are the line changes done automatically?

11) What does one want to do at a faceoff to win it (i.e., what buttons to press and what should the timing be)?

12) When you play against another person on the Internet, I assume it's not possible for both players to have a view on their TV that has the players always shooting up?

Thanks very much!!!!
Dave

I played maybe 15 games so far...
1) On one on one, I use the right analog going left and right and I shoot at the last second by pushing the analog stick up while placing the left analog stick toward the direction I want to aim on the net.

2) L1 Deke are hard to perform. You need good timing. I don't use it a lot, but once I get use to other basic control I will start using it more maybe.

3) for effective wrist shot: quickly push the right analog stick to the left or right then and roll up (performing a quarter circle). Don't forget when you score at the bottom, your the shooting is inversed.

4) for checking get close to a player and at the last secondes use the right analog stick towards the player! Boum!

5) I have been able to win games by controlling the puck in the offensive zone, passing a lot and shooting at the right moment.

...
9) It is the toughest part In my opinion, I use a not of decking (L1 + right anolog), I end up with a lot of tripping penalty however.
...
11) When the referee drops the puck , Just rapidly (and many time) push the right analog stick toward the player I want to pass.

The manual was not very clear about the control. You learn it you basically need to try it and play around. Have you tried the tutorial?

Otherwise this game is awesome! Best hockey Simulation I ever played. I bought almost every copy of EA NHL since 1992.

Been playing for a few weeks now and you'll definitely have to practice the L1+ dek function before your proficient at it, but once you figure it out...what a high light tool! I've been playing on all-star and superstar mode so my wins have been much less, but at the same time the game play is very realistic - lots of dump-ins, plenty of puck movement; fewer hits but many more steals and poke checks.

In order to play a good defensive game (IMO) you really need to now the position of the player your controlling as well as what type of difference your in (diamond, passive box, large box...etc..). Changing your your on the fly strategies is also a must, crashind down the defense or upping the pressure when needed.

I've actually been playing more games in broadcast view than overhead - I seem to have a better view of the ice.

When shooting remember the left analog controls puck placement. Pressing the left analog up shoots high (going both directions) and pressing it down shoots low (going both directions). I find myself shooting a lot of low shots when skating down since I am holding down on the left stick to skate.

To score on a goalie one vs one I like to deke left to right couple of times then go backhand.

Go into practice mode and do 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 1 and get used to all the shooting and deking controls.

9) For defense, try to stay between the puck and the net. I find if you try to rush the puck carrier, more often than not you pay for it!

Great advice so far!!! Thanks!!! Any more??

I'll just second using practice mode and doing shootouts. You'll pick up a lot of little things, like how to drag the puck and do snap shots, etc.

A saucer pass essentially is just a pass with some air on it; it works for when your player is in traffic or breaking up ice with a D-man in between him and the puck.

Playing D is tough - when they get set up in your end, you really need to keep your guys in position. Don't chase. You can pressure the offensive player...but don't chase them around all over or they'll exploit the opening you left. Also use the block pass button to close down the passing lanes.

This game lets you hold guys up a little bit too and they'll lose the puck. That's one way to avoid all the tripping calls from poke checking.

As far as checking goes...you can really level dudes if you're skating backwards with your D and throw a hip check at the blue line or just inside the zone.

God I love this game.

As far as checking goes...you can really level dudes if you're skating backwards with your D and throw a hip check at the blue line or just inside the zone.


Thanks for the great info!

On D, how do you "hold up guys" in the way you described (to allow for steals, etc.)?

When skating backwards on D, you are pressing the right stick away from the offensive player. So, in order to check him, you would suddenly have to go the reverse direction on the right stick in order to do a hard check. Is that right??

Thanks again!
Dave

Player control is left stick...so when you're skating backwards with the LS, just quickly jam the right stick directly to the right or left to move laterally and throw a hip. There's some timing involved.

The hold/hook button is uh..."A" I think. It's hard to remember without a controller in my hands.
EDIT: Sorry, I just realized I'm in the PS forum - that would be the X button for you if the controls are the same as 360. It should say on the loading screen before a game.

I should mention I'm still playing on the default difficulty - they may call more holding/interference penalties on the harder difficulties.

Player control is left stick...so when you're skating backwards with the LS, just quickly jam the right stick directly to the right or left to move laterally and throw a hip. There's some timing involved.

The hold/hook button is uh..."A" I think. It's hard to remember without a controller in my hands.
EDIT: Sorry, I just realized I'm in the PS forum - that would be the X button for you if the controls are the same as 360. It should say on the loading screen before a game.

I should mention I'm still playing on the default difficulty - they may call more holding/interference penalties on the harder difficulties.

THANKS!

Also, run the type of offense that your lines are set to. For me, I found that I'm most effective running a behind the net attack. Park behind the net, get a guy then to park in front of the net and then quickly feed that guy and go top shelf. You'll score a good number of goals that way.

You can also do passes across the slot that are tapped in while on a rush. Those are especially effective against goalies with poor lateral movement.