Wondering when to use your tough guys and what intimidaton is all about?

Let me quote EA's NHL producer Rammer:

Using your tough guys and grinders to finish your checks will start to wear down and intimidate the other team. The first, second or third big hit might not cause a turnover but eventually you will notice intimidated players rushing passes and D-men slapping the puck around the boards after dump ins instead of trying to pick up the puck and make a tape to tape pass. You’ll also see intimidated players bobble pass receptions if they’re about to be hit. When you notice that your players are being intimidated, that’s your cue to get a tough guy out on the ice and try to start a fight to stand up for your team and mitigate your team’s intimidation level.

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Clicking the L3 button will make your player skate faster. You can do this up to three times, but it will also drain energy.

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EA Sports explains the new dekes:



Here's a kick deke I did in an online shootout:



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Wondering how different attributes affects your player?

Here's a list: NHL 11 Attribute Explanation

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Faceoffs are much more complex in NHL 11.

During replays you can choose between defensive, normal and aggresive formation for your team. You do this by moving the LS down, right or up.

When it's time for the face off get into position by moving the the RS to 9 or 3 o'clock. If you're a left shooter bringing the RS to 9 will put you in a forehand stance. 3 o'clock puts you in back hand stance. Then move the RS down to try to win the puck.

In a forehand stance (as a left shooter and with a normal faceoff formation) if you win the puck you will send it backwards to the right. So if you're in the offensive zone making a faceoff to the left and you want to take a direct shot with your right D, you have to be i forehand stance.

You can also:
1) Stick lift - move the RS up instead of down (you have grip your stick first).
2) Tie up your opponent - skip moving the RS at all and instead move the LS up.
3) Deke off the draw - hold L1 (LB) and move the RS up after the drop.
4) Shoot - move RS up.

As to when you should move the RS up/down it depends. Most of the time, I would say at the moment the ref drops the puck. Offline usually means you should wait a fraction of a second longer and online you might have to be a little early. Try to be systematic. If you loose a faceoff (where both players don't try any tricks) try waiting a little longer next time. If you loose again, try being a little early. When you've felt out the latency, try remembering how long you waited when you won the puck and repeat your success.

But timing isn't everything. Faceoffs are really a bit like rock, paper and scissors now. EAsports explains in a recent video:


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In NHL 11, the longer you hold the R2-button, the harder the pass will be. Just tapping R2 will result in a quick, slow pass that is easy for your team mates to recieve but also easy for the opponents to intercept. If you hold the R2 for several seconds, you will send a hard pass away that has better chance getting through.
When you're attempting a cross-crease pass and there are opponents in the passing lane, then the pass has to be hard if you're going to have any chance getting the pass through. Cross-ice passes also need to be hard.
There's really no limit to how long you can hold the R2-trigger, but remeber that a pass can be too hard for the reciever to get control of, so there's no point in overusing hard passes when the distance between the puck holder and the reciever is short and there are no opponents in the way.
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This is a very good guide from Operation Sports covering the on-the-fly coaching options adressed to the D-pad in NHL 10:

NHL 10: Improving your On-The-Fly Coaching

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Have to share a crazy goal from a BAP-match yesterday.



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The slap pass is deadly if you can pull it off. To execute: wind up for a slap shot (RS back) and then push R2 at the same time as you push RS forward. Aim the pass with LS.

You might not actually have to move the RS up when you push R2 for a pass - it's just that I allways do since I want to go for a onetimer when I recieve the pass.




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I really suck at aiming myself. The thing I do wrong is that I allways move the LS 100% in the direction I want to shoot. This is because most online games are intense with very little time to take shots, so in an effort to take a quick shot I move both the LS and RS too fast and too hard. The trick to aiming is to aim soft. Aiming is sensitive. If you aim the left stick all the way left, your will miss the goal a lot of times (especially one-timers) unless you're controlling a player like Ovechkin. So if "all the way left" is 100%, then go about 75-80% left to get a shot that will stay inside the goal. Also note that when moving the RS to take a shot, moving it as fast as you can won't make for a harder shot or anything, but may affect your aim if you're not inside the "shoot margin" - 11-13 o'clock.

Also, on onetimers, you will hit the net a lot more if you wait with moving the RS until you've received the pass. I tend to move the RS right after sending the pass away with the result that I miss the puck all together from time to time.
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What are your strategies, techniques for entering the zone?. I find myself too often getting hit or poke checked at the blue line. How do you find is the best way to penetrate the zone. One on one move, cut to the middle, manual deke. Would love to see some tips on variety of moves that can be used to gain the zone without losing possesion.

First I'd like to say that you should vary the way you enter the zone. With that said, here's a default tip:

Try to carry the puck from one side of the ice over to the other when entering offensive zone (in an effort to loosen up the defense since many human players play puckside). Also move in a zig zag manner, making you harder to hit. After crossing the red line, look for an opening - if there isn't one, dump the puck into the corner - if you think you can get through, try to do so with stick dekes (if facing poke checks) and loose puck dekes towards the half boards (if facing body checks). If you still got the puck:

1) Bring it down to the corner
2) Pass it back to the point, if I got an open team mate there
3) Protect the puck by the half boards until I have team mate to pass
4) Send a wrister towards goal and try to pick up a rebound
5) Dump it.
6) If you got no other options - pass it back into neutral zone.

If you're going to dump the puck you need an aggressive forecheck, otherwise you won't win the puck very often.

Matt Said,
March 7, 2010 12:08 AM
Not play related, but trading wise - any tips? I get offered lots of (what appear to me) completely unbalanced trades, but being a non-north american, only have a loose grasp of how trades should go... the trading block thing is totally beyond me. Any tips or anything to help? Thanks!!

Petey Said,
March 7, 2010 10:47 AM
What I do is checking for potential and age. If you have, e.g. a overall 90 player who is 30+ yrs old, you can't trade him against a overall 90 player who is younger, has potential A or both. So try to trade him against a high 80 player and he will be an overall 90 next season or so.

Try adding draft picks to players that have lower overalls than the player you want to draft or offer 2 players for one player with higher ratings.

That's what comes to my mind spontaneously. Hope it helps!


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Every game is different when it comes to latency (the time delay between controller and action on the screen). Because of this you need to feel every game out - some games you need to flick the RS down just before the ref releases the puck, others when the puck has halfway reached the ice. Try to be consistent - if you win a faceoff - remember and repeat how fast you flicked the RS.EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NHL 10 ELECTRONICS CD DVD GAMES PS3 XBOX 360 BLUERAY TV MMORPG MMO ELECTRONIC ARTS LCD PLASMA COMPUTERS

I'd say a wrister 5 hole. But if the slot is open for you to move into (which it seldom is) this is how you score 9 times out of 10.



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Many times during regular period and especially in overtime. The opponent cannot get into slot so they circle back to the point wind up and shoot; slapshot and it scores. its so fuckin frustrating. I am wondering how to avoid it. For some reason this happens moreso in OT and it pisses me off. The goalie seems to perform horribly in OT and the D cannot prevent this slapshot goal from the point. I hope you understand my frustration and can help me resolve this.

I also have the feeling that scoring gets easier in OT. I don't have any advice that I'm 100 % sure works, but here's what I would do:

1)
Change to Puck side pressure. Your players aggressively pressures the puck carrier. Your team shifts to the side of the ice where the puck is to try to get the puck from them. Not letting them set up too much along the sides and blue line.

2)
Use the Tight Point defensive strategy: Your wingers position themselves right up to the other teams D along your defensive blue line. This prevents them from taking point shots and makes it harder for them to pass around along the outside, but it makes it easier for them to pass in to the slot for shots in close.

3)
When there's a risk for cross-crease-passes. Take control of a D and either hit the reciever or block the pass.

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So as I wrote in an earlier post, one of my my tactics when I play goalie in shootouts is to dive at the skater (hold R1 and move RS up). If you should face a goalie who does that all the time, the thing to do is to come in from the side, like this:

Defense: I've read all your posts, and my defense has improved, but I've found that if I control any player other than the people at the net when in my D-zone, say to go after the puck, my men at the net will leave someone hopelessly unmarked. This means I end up with long periods of pressure, because I can't leave my defenders to do their job, without taking huge risks...

Matt: That is a problem. I got two options for you (and none of them is 100 % secure).
1) Try using Tight Point strategy (this will make your all your CPU controlled players more aggressive) and perhaps even Puck side or High Pressure. Then take control of a D and play the passing lanes in the slot. Since your CPU-controlled players will (should at least) charge their man, you need to fend the slot (cause the CPU will overcheck from time to time).
2) Use a Winger to put pressure on the opponent when he got the puck at the point and change to controlling a D when the puck is by the boards. Changing player a lot can get messy though (when you don't get to controll the player you want to controll).

I generally allow my opponents some puck controll in my zone. I usually play the collapssing strategy and then I try to cut of passing lanes in the slot and by the boards, trying to force my opponent making a bad pass or take a shot from the point that I can block. You will loose pressure, especially at the points and half boards if you collapse but you won't give away quality scoring chances in the slot or let any (hopefully)cross-crease passes through.
And one more thing. Since your CPU-controlled players kind of sucks... when you put pressure on your opponent, leaving your CPU-players to defend the slot, attack him from the inside. With the inside I mean from the centre - allwoing him to move towards the half boards, boards or to the back of the net, but not towards goal. You should allways try to be positioned between the puck and your own goal.

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SmilinB0B Said,
February 14, 2010 2:22 AM

To take control of the goalie, hold the left bumper (not the trigger) and press A. For PS3, I would imagine it's, what...L1 + X?

Here's my question. My created plays aren't showing up in Be A Pro or Be A GM, they only show up in quick play. Do I have to import them somehow or recreate them? That would suck to try to redo them since they are rather precise...

Thanks SmilinBOB!
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I'm not that good at fighting but here's what I know:


Block punches with L2 (LT) and throw punches with the RS - remember that you aim with the RS aswell. Toggling LS from side to side let’s you deak punches. Pull the oponents jersey with LS to try do bring him down. You'll loose energy from punches that hits your arms when you block so you can't block forever.


I try to block and avoid punches with the LS and then I throw punches right after my oppponent has hit my arms or missed. Then I block again, throw a punch or two, block, punch and so on. Sometimes I just fire away punches right away, spamming the RS.


You can throw big punches (haymakers) by bringing the RS back and then forward, but you'll expose yourself when doingn so.


Beware of enforcers who pack a lot of punch. Who you fight with MATTERS.
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Raise Your Banner
Acquire all the Bronze, Silver and Gold trophies

Gold Team
Be a member of an EA SPORTS Hockey League team that has won a Gold Medal

Silver Team
Be a member of an EA SPORTS Hockey League team that has won a Silver Medal

Bronze Team
Be a member of an EA SPORTS Hockey League team that has won a Bronze Medal

Party Animal
Complete an EA SPORTS Hockey League match with 6 human controlled players on your team

It’s a Challenge
Challenge and beat another EA SPORTS Hockey League team

Trophy Case
Be a member of a team that has won all the EA SPORTS Hockey League team trophies

Grade A
Get an overall A rating in a match with your Be A Pro character

Star Power
Get the first star in a match with your Be A Pro character

Goal Master
Get 25 goals with your Be A Pro character

Assists King
Get 35 assists with your Be A Pro character

Point Leader
Get 60 points with your Be A Pro character

Goalie Legend
Win 5 matches with your Be A Pro character playing as a goalie

Out Of the Box
Complete an Online Versus Play ranked match without getting a penalty

Century Play
Score a total of 100 goals in Online Versus Play ranked matches over your career

All Play
Complete and win an Online Versus Play ranked match with three or more guests on the same PS3 system

Its Not Easy
Beat a NHL team using an AHL team in an Online Versus Play ranked match

Faceoff King
Win 80% of the faceoffs in an Online Versus Play ranked match

No Offsides
Complete an Online Versus Play ranked match without being called for an offside

No Icing
Complete an Online Versus Play ranked match without being called for icing

Shootout Shutout
Win an Online Shootout ranked match without being scored on

Shootout Master
Score three goals in a row in an Online Shootout ranked match

It’s the Playoffs
Complete an Online League playoff match

League Champion
Win an Online League that has at least 4 members

Call Me
Unlock 3 phones in Be A GM mode

Look No Goalie
Pull your goalie and score a goal against the CPU or an online opponent in a ranked match

Don’t Let Up
Score four unanswered goals against the CPU or an online opponent in a ranked match

Pressure Play
Keep the pass completion % for CPU or online opponent in ranked match under 40%

Dump It
Dump the puck from outside the offensive blue line 10 times in one match

Break Away
Score two break away goals in one match

Line Juggler
Do five manual line changes during a match

Board Play
Pin a player using board play and gain possession of the puck

Gameplay Master
Perform a loose puck deke and score a goal

Fighting Major
Accept and win a fight against a human controlled opponent

Sell Sacrifice
Score a goal with an injured player

Hardcore Superstar
Play and win a match on Hardcore Superstar settings against the CPU

Unlock Gloves
Earn a pair of 2 slot gloves

Unlock Skates
Earn a pair of 2 slot skates

Battle for the Cup
Win a Battle for the Cup series with an Elite league team in a 7 game series against the CPU

Eager to Learn
Complete the Boot Flow Interactive Tutorial

New Beginnings
Complete a match using NHL 94 Control settings

Source: blueraycenter.com

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With the puck, you may want to try initiating board-play to avoid getting hit. If you see your opponent lining you up for a massive check, press the button to stay near to the glass, before drumming it again to resume skating.

The D might even end up getting injured like in this clip:

Time your passes
Avoid turnovers

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If you want to score you need to change your aim all the time. If you don't and for example allways aim high on the goalies stickside -  the goalie's going to notice and expect it. Vary your aim and the goalie will guess wrong, making the wrong move from time to time, and thus increasing your chances to score.

Scoring is about forcing the goalie to leave an opening and then exploiting that opening.

In this clip I take two slapshots. First time, I aim low stickside and the goalie makes the save. Next time, taking a slapshot, the goalie guesses I'm going to aim low again and goes down with his pads, leaving the topshelf open.

This little rule I've set up for myself have worked wonders for me:

Coming into offensive zone along the half boards you're easy pray for opposing D's. Still, this might be the only way into the zone from time to time. If you can't make a pass or deke your way out of the situation, send a wrister towards the goalies far side post.

Most likely the puck will hit and rebound off the golies pads. So instead of causing a turnover, you've created a scoring chance.

Even if you don't get a rebound out of it, you might force the goalie to cover up the puck and get a faceoff. If you miss the goal all together, more often then not, one of your wingers will get to the puck in the corner. And if you are really lucky, you might send your opponent to the penalty box for interference, if he hits you after you've wristed the puck away.

I've made a new label Shoot/aim, for those of you who are new to the blog, pointing to earlier (and coming?) posts on the subject.

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I've been trying push the puck ahead of me with R1 for 6 months now, resulting in me flipping the puck up in the air before sending it forward.

Now I find out you're supposed to tap Vision Controll - L2 (LT). This will improve my game so much!

Coming up from behind the goal, moving over to the far post side and a little away from goal, will give you a nice scoring chance (if you got the puck on the forehand side). To make it even harder for the goalie (I'm not in this example), pull the RS right (or left if you come in from the right side).
The hard part isn't really to score here, but to even get the chance. Most people know about this so they're gonna defend the slot like crazy. So you need to open up the slot with some passing. Playing the overload strategy - I find this play working from time to time:

Taking direct shots while moving is hard. So when you're going for a onetimer you'll be more successful if you time your passes so that the receiver is facing the puck when taking the shot. To do this you need to watch your team mates while evading opponents and time it all so you get an open passing lane just when your team mate gets into position.

What I really like about NHL 10 is that anything can happen. You think you've seen it all and then you take the lead after an insane goal like this one...