Hockey fans can now enjoy the newest entry in EA Sports' long-running series of professional ice hockey simulation video games,NHL 23. Longtime players will be pleased to know thatNHL 23adds a new season’s worth of content and features, such as player customization options in Franchise Mode and in-game presentations.
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SinceNHL 23’s release, it has become increasingly difficult to prevail against a number of challenging opponents. Different game modes mean that there is no one optimal strategy or set of skills necessary to win. Competing for the top spot requires a competitor with both strategy and all-around ability. Whether the gamer plays against other gamers online or in theWorld of Chel modes, playing with the best strategies will make them a more formidable opponent.
10Offensive Pressure
If a player prefers a fast-paced and aggressive gameplay on theNHL 23, the offensive pressure strategy might just be for them. Offensive pressure is a strategy that involves applying consistent pressure to the defensive unit and goalkeeper of the opposing team in order to increase the number of scoring opportunities available to the club’s attackers.
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While the strategy is in play, the team prioritizes keeping the ball in the offensive zone, setting up odd-man rushes, and exerting physical pressure. Players can test out the standard and aggressive variations of this strategy to figure out which suits them best.
9Forechecking
With a forecheck, the player’s team presses the play into the opponent’s zone, primarily on the defensemen. The most important thing in this strategy is that not more than two or three of the team’stop-rated center playersget stuck behind the puck.
Generally speaking, it is advisable to send one player on the forecheck. On the other hand, if a gamer finds themselves trailing by two goals late in the game, it is much better to go all in on this strategy and send in a pair of players.
8Power Play Carry And Dump
Keeping possession of the puck and applying pressure to the penalty killers of the opposing team are two of the most important goals of any power play, and the carry-and-dump strategy is a great way to accomplish both of these goals.
With this strategy in motion, team players basically chuck the puck into locations from which they can easily recover it, like the corners or behind the net, then use their numerical advantage to set up scoring chances when they recover the puck.
7Forcing A Neutral Zone
Surprisingly, losing the puck may be an advantage. It is the element of surprise in the neutral zone strategy. Basically, this strategy is put into play when a player in the team knocks the puck into the opponent’s zone. Here’s the twist, the player has to knock the puck to the boards to make it hard for the opponents to get it and shock them at the same time.
By the time they gain possession of it, the player should have positioned the team in the opponent’s zone to trap them and dispossess them. This way they are forced to play under tension and play aggressively. Even a team withbest X-Factors onNHL 23cannot stop this strategy when executed perfectly.
6Trapping The Offense
The trap is an effective strategy because it shortens the amount of time and space that the opposing team has with the puck, which in turn makes it easier for a player’s team to win. When a player activates this strategy on defense, the team crowds the opposing team’s zone and compels them to make split-second decisions and take shots with a low chance of success.
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It’s also possible for the trap defense to result in turnovers when the offensive team tries to force a pass through the trap and the defender picks it off. However, it is most effective for wasting time when in the lead.
5Power Play
The goal of the Power Play strategy is to capitalize on a team’s extra man advantage while the other team is short-handed. It can offer the player’s team a huge edge over the other and result in game-winning goals if executed properly.
Players can use it to throw off the other team’s timing by establishing themselves in the offensive zone to generate scoring chances, making use of the additional man to outnumber the other team in strategic areas of the ice, and utilizing theirbest wing playersto make the most of it through shooting lanes.
4Breaking Out
The ability to quickly shift from defense to offense is crucial in the fast-pacedNHL 23game. The Breakout strategy is very useful for this and simple to implement for evenbeginner gamers onNHL 23. The goal of the breakout strategy is to get the puck out of the defensive zone and into the neutral and offensive zones as quickly as possible.
The player’s team sets a breakout into place with a long pass, a chip, and chase, or a D-D pass. The key to a productive breakout is to get the puck out of the defensive zone as quickly and accurately as possible, while also minimizing turnovers and keeping possession of the puck.
3Standard Or Passive 3-on-3 Offense
When playing hockey with a 3-on-3 advantage, a 3-on-3 offense is a strong strategy. With this strategy, players can opt to play standard or passive. The 3-on-3 offense attack is ferocious and rapid even if you deploy it in theNHL 23Custom Leagues. Players have to advance quickly with their team number advantage and create puck goal-scoring opportunities. The standard variant is more conservative and works more when a player has the lead in the game.
It involves maintaining possession of the puck and waiting for the opponent to take a risky move and then capitalize on it. If a gamer has skilled skaters and puckers on their team, the attack variant may work well for them and if they have possession-maintaining players on their team, the standard option may suit them best.
2Line Strategies
When it comes to winning a game, it’s all about how well a team controls and utilizes their forward lines. To make the most of the forward lines strategically, a player can use the line strategies. By using line strategies players can shuffle their forward lines to maintain a competitive advantage. In play, it involves a constant rotation of the team’s lines against their opponents.
Gamers can test between the rolling lines and the matchup tactics to see which they will prefer. The other team won’t know what hit them when a gamer hits them with this technique, giving the gamer’s team a significant advantage even if they use any of thestrongest teams onNHL 23.
1Defensive Strategies: Collapsing And Protecting The Net
Hockey wins with solid defenses. On defense, a gamer can make their team collapse low to block passing routes and reduce scoring opportunities. They are essentially holding back their defensive line in the hopes that the opponent will take longer, easier-to-block shots.
Protecting the net on the other hand involves focusing on blocking the blind areas of the goaltender even if they are the best, making it harder for their opponents to make a successful shot. Collapsing works better when a gamer has strong defensemen and protecting the net is suitable for all skill-level players.
NHL 23is available now on, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
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