NHL 16 Tips: 3 Tips to Take Your Game to the Next Level

NHL can be the most excited and fast pace sports games there out there, the quick thinking and on the fly nature of the sport lends itself well to video games. But, being able to compete on the virtual ice at a consistent and high level required certain traits you must master in order to be successful on a consistent basis. Today I’m going to help you out by going over the 3 necessary things you need to be able to take your game to the next level. Let’s begin.

3. ANTICIPATE

You want to be able to anticipate your opponent’s next move while you’re on offense; you always want to be one step ahead of your opponent. You don’t want to be the guy who sees his opponent move one way and then that’s when you decide what to do: it will often be too late to adjust and you’re already lying on the ice.

Being able to anticipate where your opponent is going to go before he does it and counter it will often times leave you free for odd man rushes and free shots at the goalie. You can accomplish this by using your deke moves to get your opponent to attack a puck that isn’t there anymore or getting away from incoming trouble be it from an aggressive defender or them switching to the next player on defense to pick you up.

This is one of the hardest things to get the hang of when your first starting out, but the more you play you’ll be able to get a sixth sense in a way to what’s about to happen next.

2. PROTECT THE PUCK

We need a counter to the ever popular poke check that’s been the go to move in NHL games since well, forever….The manual says hit A to protect the puck. Well, scratch that. You actually want to utilize the right stick on your controller instead. Wherever you hold the right stick is where the puck goes and it allows you to have your backside in effect become a shield against your defender and makes it harder for them to poke check you without fouling you. So it allows you to make sharp turn around defenders while still being able to maintain the puck or build a wall against him as your charging towards the goalie

1. MASTER THE POKE CHECK

I’ve gotten a bunch of messages over the years whose basic theme is, “all you do is poke check!” Well it works, and it’s your best weapon on defense. EA has made it more risk reward over the years to counter how effective it had become in previous NHL versions which I like.

Being able to master the poke check is tied to being able to attack whoever has the pucks forehand side. Because any damage your opponent can do to you will come from their forehand unless they get close enough to the goalie to pull off a backhand shot, so the puck eventually will be exposed to the forehand before they shoot otherwise.

The added benefit is taking away his forehand really limits what your opponent can do, if he comes inside the defender exposes the puck even more and the chance of losing it goes up because he’s easier to hit, so your basically pushing everything to the sidelines if he wants to maintain puck control.

One of my favorite things to do is after I shoot and my opponent gets the puck, I don’t switch players, but instead I come from behind on whoever has the puck and attack whichever side their forehand is. It accomplishes 2 things; it forces them to rush things because they see somebody coming from behind and it also forces your opponent to play more compacted, because if they do bring the puck out it can be easily stolen. I’ve gotten many pucks on shot attempts using this tactic.

Did these tips help you out? Let us know in the comments. For more NHL 16 tips, stay tuned to SGO by following us on twitter, liking us on facebook, and subscribing to our YouTube. Did these tips help you out?

NHL 16 Tips: 3 Tips to Take Your Game to the Next Level

NHL 16 Roster Update Now Available (4-21-2016)

EA Sports dropped their latest Roster update for NHL 16 today for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

The new update reflects changes in NHL, Liga, SHL, DEL, Extraliga Iedniho hokeje and National League.

If you haven’t updated to an active roster before it’s kind of a convoluted process. Here’s how to get the latest active rosters.

• Go to the NHL 16 main menu, select Customize


• In Customize, select Roster


• In Roster, select Active Rosters


• In Active Rosters, select the most recent update organized by ‘Date & Time’ under EA SPORTS NHL Official Rosters

NHL 16 Roster Update Now Available (4-21-2016)

EA Sports Simulates 2016 Stanley Cup On NHL 16

The 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs starts tomorrow, which features no Canadian teams since the NHL-WHA merger in 1979 that put six Canadian teams in the NHL.

As they do every year with their sports titles, EA Sports took some time to simulate the playoffs. Like the lack of Canadians, EA’s simulation coughed up some interesting matchups.

If you just want the winner, scroll to the bottom.

East Conference

• The Florida Panthers went on a surprising run to the East Conference finals, defeating both the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning. In hilairous news, the never-aging Jaromir Jagr showed up for the playoffs scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in 20 games.


• Crosby and the Pittsburg Penguins were shut down by the New York Rangers, who had Henrik Lundqvist destroying every shot the Penguins took.

West Conference

• In EA’s simulation, neither the Chicago Blackhawks nor the LA Kings made it to the Stanley Cup Final, a feat which hasn’t occured in five years. The Sharks eliminated both teams.


• The St. Louis Blues had the collapse of the playoffs after leading 3 – 1, they gave up three straight to the Blackhawks in round 1.

Champions

In a game 7 battle, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals won at home versus the San Jose Sharks with a 4-2 victory.

Ovechikin sealed the deal with the Capital’s fourth score on an empty-net goal in the last seconds.

Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby continued his historic run and won the Conn Smythe Trophy. He finished with 16 wins, 2.10 GAA, .933 SV% and 3 shutouts.

Who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments.

EA Sports Simulates 2016 Stanley Cup On NHL 16

NHL 16 Now Available On EA Access for Xbox One

Starting today, EA Access subscribers on Xbox One can start playing NHL 16.

NHL 16 brings new features like the On-Ice Visual Trainer and smarter Coach Feedback, designed to teach new players the fundamentals and give returning players a refresher course.

From new levels of depth across single player and team modes, combined with improved gameplay balance and control at every position as well as an unrivaled game day atmosphere, NHL 16 puts you into the heart of a team, where you’ll play together and win together.

EA Access allows members to try upcoming EA games prior to release. It also offers 10% discounts on EA digital purchases. One of the things players can access is The Vault, which contains a library of games that subscribers can play as much as they want. Currently, The Vault contains games like Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare, Madden 16, FIFA 16 and Battlefield 4.

Subscribe to EA Access for $4.99 per month, or $29.99 for a full year.

NHL 16 Now Available On EA Access for Xbox One

NHL 16 EASHL Tips: Film Session 2 - Kila Kali

Welcome to the second EASHL Film Session! In this series, we break down skater or goalie gameplay sent by you guys as a means to improve our EASHL game.

If you ever want your play reviewed feel free to post a comment below or you can contact me on twitter or by e-mail. You don’t have to be on a club, this is open to individuals as well. Today’s game-play comes from Kila Kali. They are a Div 1 5s club on the PS4. Here is what I saw.

Tip #1 – Using Defenseman on the Breakout

First of all you guys do a good job breaking the puck out quickly with some nice 1-touch passes. One thing I want to highlight for everybody is realizing when a defenseman can be used on the breakout. Green has the puck, there’s no passing lane to the other forwards, and yellow is covered as well. Teal does a great job taking the open space in front of him and basically becomes the 3rd forward for this breakout.

Dman does a great job taking the open space and becomes the 3rd forward for the breakout.

Tip #2 – When a Defenseman Can play Forward

Keep looking for for situations like this not only in transition, but in the offensive zone as well. Here’s a perfect example. When green is skating from left to right, look at this open space for teal. Even though he’s a defenseman, don’t be afriad to play forward when the situation calls for it. Trust that your teammate will cover for you and that will help emphasize a good two-way game, and create longer puck possession.

With green skating form left to right, teal should once again take the open space in front of him. Even though he’s a defenseman, its OK to rotate and play forward if the situation calls for it.

Tip #3 – Stopping the Breakout

Now that we’ve talked transition offense, lets go to transition defense. The defensemen like to immediately start skating the back the moment the other team gets the puck and although it sounds good and it guarantees there won’t be a breakaway, what you’re not doing is reading the situation.

When you immediately back up, look at the open space you create for the other team. Two passes later and they end up in the slot, fortunately a good backcheck ends that threat. Now focus on reading where the breakout pass is most likely headed and prepare yourself for it. At this moment the easiest pass for them is this guy on our left.

Let’s say our D-men stayed at the blue line, maybe this pass doesn’t look that appealing to them anymore and if they do pass it, teal’s ready to make a play anyway. Most lot of the time you will start drifting skating back, but find out who your forwards don’t have covered and that will be a big hint for where you can position yourselves to defend the breakout.

There’s no breakaway threat so backing up just gives the other team free space.
Reading the Situation (Mistake) – The only open player is the person to the left. If the defenseman held the blue line, they could’ve made a defensive stop the moment the pass happens and keep the puck in their zone.
Reading the Situation (Correct) – Teal notices Green has the puck carrier covered. Knowing this, Teal will cover the closest passing threat in his area. If the pass comes, he’s prepared to make an immediate stop!

Tip #4 – Hitting as the Last Defender?

This next tip will easily be the ‘meanest’ thing I say to you guys, but you said I could in the email. PLEASE STOP GOING FOR HITS WHEN YOU ARE THE LAST DEFENDER!!! It was weird to watch becuase as a team the 5 of you work really well in the defensive end,  but once in a while I’ll see a guy try to be a hero and it leads to a free goal.

If you get the big hit, you get the puck back but your team still has to travel 3/4 of the ice to score a goal. If you miss, it’s a breakaway. Is it really worth going for the hit as the last defender? Probably not.
When you’re the last defender, is it really worth going for that big hit?

Tip #5 – Mixing up the Shots

Last but not least, you guys do a good job racking up the shots and it’s a variety of shots so your team isn’t stuck to one gameplan. There’s cross creases, shortside shots, rebounds and deflection attempts. I just want to throw out a reminder to not be afraid to pass up a regular shot for the sake of creating a quality shot. At the higher levels it’s usually the team with the most quality chances that wins, not necessarily the most shots.

Quality Shots are more important than the Number of Shots!

That was my analysis of Kila_Kali. If you have anything to add to help them out, let them know in the comments below.

NHL 16 EASHL Tips: Film Session 2 - Kila Kali

NHL 16 EASHL Tips: Film Session 1 - Studying Like the Pros

Welcome to the first EASHL Film Session! The purpose of this series is to watch some gameplay that was either sent to me or recorded myself. I’m going to break it down, go over what you do well, what can be worked on, and I’ll offer my advice on what can be done to help take you to the next level. I hope you guys enjoy and I’d appreciate any feedback in the comments section to help me make this series the best it can possibly be. This is open to both goalies and skaters, for today’s video we’re going to analyze the skaters of the LG Texas Stars.

Team Issue #1 – Corner Containment

This is one of the toughest defensive concepts to grasp, as it requires all 5 skaters to know their responsibilities. Whoever is defending him is usually chasing instead of containing and the puck carrier is able to get a clear path to the front of the net.

Here in this play the puck carrier is in the right corner. Here are the team’s responsibilities to effectively contain the puck.

1. Yellow – Approaches the skater from the boards as to cut off a passing lane behind the net and prevent the puck carrier from attempting a wrap around. If yellow cannot win his 1 on 1 battle, his job is to ‘guide’ the puck carreir towards a teammate. If the pass does go behind the net, yellow can sprint towards the right post AND teal is ready to protect the net.

2. Red – Red approaches the edge of the cirle. First he must be in line with any passing lane towards the slot. Next he’s ready to make a play on the puck carrier should he try to cut towards the middle. If the puck does escape the corner he’s most likely going back towards the slot.

3. Blue – Notice where blue currently is. He’s left the entire half-boards open as an escape route for the puck carrier. If you position yourself by the half-boards you accomplish multiple goals. First of all blue is in the passing lane towards the defenseman. Next he’s given less space for the puck carrier to escape. And third he’s ready to make a play should the puck carrier get too close (most likely from yellow/red guiding him towrads you).

4. Teal – protect the net, make sure you have inside positioning on whoever you are covering. Make yourself ready to protect either post and look for anybody crashing the net.

5. Green – Starts off in the High slot. You are covering for ‘Red’. Be ready to move lower if anybody’s crashing that area. Be ready as you are most likely the first forward out of the zone on the breakout but remember protecting the slot comes first.

Team Issue #2 – Blue Line Defense

Our Defenseman play too far off the blue line and the other team is able to walk into the zone. In 1 game, I saw 7 free entries in the zone. That’s 7 free possessions they have in our end, and any team is going to take advangtage. Stay a little bit closer to the blue line, you don’t have to go for the hit. Stay close, stay controlled, and if you can’t take the puck away, then slow him down and guide him towards the boards or to forward on the backcheck.

Team Issue #3 – Protect the Slot, ESPECIALLY SHORTHANDED

Last but not least, protect the slot. It’s nothing fancy but once in a while we’ll go after the puck or do something which leaves the front of the net exposed. Hockey has this statistic for goalies called HomePlate Save %. A shot from inside the HomePlate area has the highest chance of going in so that needs to be your priority when it comes to defense, even moreso on the penalty kill.

GOOD! 5 on 4, play a tight box and protect the slot!

When shorthanded, your focus should be on protecting the slot and not giving them a clear path to the net. Once your team is set up, then you can focus on containing the puck carrier like the first tip.

That wraps up the first EASHL Film Session. I want to say more nice things in future videos, but they asked me to ‘be mean’. I think we’ll do much better if we lock down the blue line and work together more as a team in the defensive end in time for the playoffs. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

If you want your gameplay broken down, both goalies and skaters, team and individual, let me know. I prefer to focus more on the individual but if teams are interested I’ll help. I hope you guys enjoyed, and hopefully I’ll see you in the next film session. 😀

NHL 16 EASHL Tips: Film Session 1 - Studying Like the Pros

NHL 16 Roster Update (1/14/16)

The lastest NHL 16 roster update is available for the PS4 and Xbox One, and EA Sports has provided a list of the top 5 players moving up and down. We’ve provided a rundown below, but if you want to have a better look at the changes, click the links up top to take a look at the EA Sports blog.

Going Up:

• Evgeny Kuznetsov +3 (87)


• Artemi Panarin +5 (85)


• Max Domi +6 (83)


• Shayne Gostisbehere +8 (80)


• Leon Draisaitl +12 (84)

On the way down:

• Jonathan Bernier -1 (84)


• Tyler Johnson -1 (87)


• Ryan Miller -1 (86)


• Ryan Kesler -2 (87)


• Chris Kreider -2 (85)

What do you think of the changes? Let us know in the comments below.

NHL 16 Roster Update (1/14/16)

NHL 16 EASHL Tips: Efficient Breakout Passing

How’s it going everyone.  Today’s EASHL tip is about breakout passes.  There’s a lot of good defenseman in this game because they know how to play defense.  There’s even less GREAT and ELITE defenseman because they lack skills on the offense end or in this case, the ability to protect the puck after making a defensive stop to help transition to offense.

A very frustrating problem when playing EASHL is when people make mistakes with basic decision making.  As a goalie these mistakes can lead to unnecessary turnovers in our own zone and possibly a goal that could have easily been avoided.

Smart decision making on the breakout will lead to:

– More efficient offense in transition

– Fewer Defensive Zone Turnovers

– Fewer Suicide Passes/Neutral Zone Turnovers

– Overall Happier Teammates (Especially Goalies)

 Know your options (boards, center, dman).  When you pick up the puck you should always have 3 options.  The winger by the boards, the center in the middle of the ice, and your defensive partner usually somewhere behind the net.  You’re first option is to get the puck to the forwards but don’t force it.  Hockey’s a simple game if you pass it to the open guy.  If the forwards are  covered and you’re running out of time, send it behind the net and don’t turn the puck over.

Caught in a bad situation?  Get rid of the puck. DONT turn it over right in front of the net!

Is there pressure when you get the puck?  Sometimes you’ll pick up the puck and the other team is already in your face.  You’re not going to have time to skate or look around and you definitely don’t want to turn the puck over right in front of your net.  Trust that your teammates are where they are supposed to be and get rid of the puck with one-touch pass or a shot around the boards.  Even if they intercept the pass, they’ll pick it up along the outside and that will give your team time to regroup then if you turned it over right in front of the net.

No pressure?  No need to force a pass.  Take the space they give you.

If there is no pressure there’s no need to rush the pass.  Take your time, and carry the puck up the ice until you find an open teammate. Its ok for a Dman to carry the puck all the way into the offensive zone if the fowards are covered and the other team is giving you space.  In drop-ins the forwards might yell at you but don’t listen to them, trust your reads and make the smart play.

Know your responsibility without the puck.  Give your teammates options.

Always make yourself available as a passing option. Even when you don’t have the puck.  Sometimes your D partners in trouble and he needs to know that you’re going to be behind the net to help him out.  Just because you don’t have the puck doesn’t mean you can’t help team.

Communicate!  If your teammates aren’t there to help you out, talk to them (politely).  Help each other out!

Those are my tips for defenseman on the breakout.  Make sure to communicate with your teammates.  If your wingers not by the boards or your D partner isn’t behind the net limiting your options, talk about it, don’t yell at him and overall its about helping each other out and the team.

Hopefully you find these tips helpful.  Feel free to leave a comment on the video itself or here on SGO.  You can also reach me on Twitter @Justintogaming or follow me on Twitch to watch some live gameplay   Thanks for watching!

NHL 16 EASHL Tips: Efficient Breakout Passing