NHL 11 - Secrets of the Pros

Winning in NHL 11's HUT

2010-09-19T12:28:00.000-04:00

Winning in HUT has very little to do with superstar snipers and maxed out goaltenders. The beauty of HUT is that you get to make your own team, to tailor it to your style of play.

In NHL 10, I loved the San Jose Sharks because their scoring line (Heatly, Thorton, Marleau) are all left-handed, and I deke and score better with left-handed players.

I also create a lot of my goals by forming passing plays on the rush then driving to the net, as opposed to offensive zone setups. So speed and hands are what's most important to me.

Same with my D-men, I try not to charge after forwards and put on a big check. I play more positional defense and poke-check. Don't need huge guys there either, I'd prefer them to be fast. Furthermore, I don't need a lot of high priced OFD's because I don't do a lot of work from the point.

Bottom line, pick your players based on your play style - not their overall rating.

Quick Dekes Win Games in NHL 11

2010-09-15T23:17:00.000-04:00

One deke is all it takes to win the game. In this video, our overzealous defender thinks he's got a big check lined up for Mr. Lupul - L1 + Right Stick flick to the right, a breakaway ensues, and Lupul is +1 in the GWG column.

Don't neglect practicing and using dekes. They really work.

Video:

Stopping Penalty Shots in NHL 11

2010-09-15T23:03:00.000-04:00

Crap. The ref didn't like your diving poke-check on that breakaway. Penalty shot time. Panic mode, right? Wrong.

There are only 2 good spots to do a diving poke-check, one is before the blue-line so if you do trip your opponent, worst case is 2 minutes in the sin bin as it doesn't count as a breakaway. The 2nd is right before your attacker shoots.

The second one is what we do most often, and the great thing about penalties is that there's always a replay to go along with them. In the heat of the moment, you're probably not thinking about what side of the net the bastard is dekeing to, but take a breath, compose yourself, and watch the replay closely.

90% of the people you come up against online will attempt the exact same deke for the penalty shot as they used on the initial breakaway. It's the one they practiced over and over, the one they know works.

Stick your goalie toward whatever side of the net they shot at during the breakaway (or would have shot at had you not blown out their kneecap with your lumber) and watch their tried and tested move get gobbled up by your glove.

How to Deke off the Faceoff in NHL 11

2010-09-14T00:26:00.001-04:00

This handy little move is great for breaking out of your own zone, a center-ice faceoff, and even an offensive zone faceoff. To perform, set-up by holding the right stick right (for a left-handed shooter) so you're in a backhand-style faceoff. Hold R1. When the ref starts to drop the puck, move the right stick up. You will not come away with the puck all the time, but you should be able to pull off the move consistently. I hold the L2 button down as well, but I don't think that's important - I just like to be in vision control mode right off the hop.

Video:

How to Score in NHL 11 During the 3rd Period (Part 1)

2010-09-14T00:21:00.001-04:00

In this video, you'll see a very tired bunch of guys (1st couple seconds, bottom right). Followed by a 'home team timeout' then, the guys are as fresh as if it were the start of the period! USE THIS TOOL. So many players in ranked online games don't even know about the timeout feature of the game. You must pause the game in order to access this feature, there is no 'on the fly' timeout, so if you have to ice the puck - do it. It's worth it. You can only use the timeout feature once per game, so I highly recommend you save it until the last period. I prefer using my fastest line right after a timeout so I'm able to blow by defenders and hopefully dangle myself a goal.

How to Score in NHL 11 During the 3rd Period Video:

How to Hip Check in NHL 11 (Video)

2010-09-12T04:39:00.001-04:00

With the addition of the physics engine in NHL 11, hip checks are one of the most beautiful things to watch...

To perform a hip check in NHL 11, simply line up a normal check, but right before impact, click R3. Your player will stick his ass out and let his victims momentum take him up and over...

Watch:

NHL 11 Strategy - The Value of Chemistry in NHL 11 HUT

2010-09-11T15:03:00.001-04:00

What is chemistry in NHL 11?

It's a rating of the player familiarity with his linemates, and so far, chemistry appears to be overlooked in the vast majority of HUT teams that I see online.

What does chemistry do in NHL 11?

It gives a noticeable boost to many aspects of the game, but especially passing. Passing in NHL 11 is one of the hardest things to get used to from previous NHL titles, and in NHL 11 HUT, you can improve yours by building chemistry. My passing success rate must have went up 10% since getting all of my lines chemistry up over 90 points. I think this is not only that they won't bobble hard passes as much, but because the AI positions players slightly better to receive these passes.

How do you create chemistry in NHL 11?

In order of best chemistry to worst chemistry:

3 linemates from the same team,
2 linemates from the same team, plus one from the same league
3 players from the same league
2 players from the same league, plus one from the same locale (ie. 2 from NHL + 1 from AHL is better than 2 from NHL + 1 from DEL)
3 players from the same locale
2 players from the same locale, plus one from outside locale

AND

Try to put everyone in the position they're supposed to play. Don't put a C in an LW's spot, and don't put an RD on the left. Be sure to mix it up as well as far as player types go (Don't put 3 grinders on one line).

BUT

This only applies to your 4 offensive lines and your 3 defensive pairs. Powerplay, penalty kill lines, and goalies have no bearing on your teams chemistry.

Is chemistry really worth it?

I think so. My front line are the Ducks' Blake + Koivu + Lupul and I much prefer their performance than that of the demo's Zetterberg + Malkin + Perry line I used a bunch.

Best thing to do is try playing around with it.

NHL 11 Strategy - Contracts before Upgrades in Hockey Ultimate Team

2010-09-11T14:29:00.000-04:00

Do you play hockey ultimate team in NHL 11? If so, a good strategy to keep in mind has to do with your salary cap. The better a player is on your team, the more money he will make - which is sensible. This means though that you can't have every position filled with a superstar NHLer or else you'd be way over your cap. What you can do though to manage this is invest in young prospects. Most decent prospects have over 100 games in their career and start out with an overall rating between 60 and 70, and a potential of 80+. Apply a long contract card (20+ games) immediately before you upgrade his skills. This will make it so you're paying for a 60 rated player, even though he's been upgraded to 80!

Vision Control for Scoring in NHL 11

2010-09-06T23:27:00.004-04:00

Happy Labour Day to the residents of Canada and USA!

Vision control in NHL 11 is a very important tool. It can and should be used on defense (hip-checks), one-timers, deflections, dekes, and when you're behind the net. I've talked to a few people who play NHL 10 that keep that vision control button held down 70 percent of the time or more!

It makes your player face the puck (obvious benefits for one-timers and defense), and when behind the net, it makes your player face the goal. In the below video, I keep L2 held down for each goal.

Video

Scoring off the Faceoff in NHL 11 in the Offensive Zone

2010-09-03T01:09:00.003-04:00

Quick little video showing off a scoring technique right off the faceoff in the offensive zone.

In the faceoff, tie up your opponent by pressing up on the left stick when the ref starts to move his arm. Switch to your left-winger to grab the puck, wind up a wrist shot and let it fly!!

NHL Ranked Online Play Survey Results

2010-09-03T00:13:00.000-04:00

I conducted a 10 question survey on what aspects of a players ranked online play is most important. Out of 10 respondents, here are the results (listed in order of importance).

Playing positional defense
Average: 9.3
High: 10
Low: 8
(The most important aspect in responders games. Also the answer with the least variance. If you're new to the game, what this really means is stay between the puck and the net, and don't go after the big hits unless you're sure they'll land)

Having a working knowledge of real hockey (cycling the puck, etc.)
Average: 9.0
High: 10
Low: 5
(The 2nd most important aspect. Not everyone knows hockey, but those that do swear by real-life techniques. Lots of resources available on the internet for learning hockey strategy.)

Changing my playing style mid-game in reaction to my opponents playing style
Average: 7.5
High: 9
Low: 5
(Adapting to your opponent was never listed as being unimportant. Be willing to re-write your playbook if things aren't going your way)

Purposely playing against players better than you to learn and improve
Average: 6.7
High: 10
Low: 4
(Much bigger variance here. Losing isn't fun, but most players realize that losing is an important step to improving your game play.)

Using only a couple of strategies that work well with my playing style
Average: 6.3
High: 10
Low: 1
(Huge variance here! I think this makes sense though. It's valid to say that great players have depth and can score from the blue-line and from deep in the paint, but it also makes sense to do what works and not waste time on less-effective strategies. Just personal style.)

Using only a couple of go-to teams whose lines and players I know well
Average: 5.9
High: 8
Low: 2
(Important to some, but definitely not a necessity.)

Managing offensive line changes
Average: 5.8
High: 8
Low: 1
(Still important, maybe not so much because the lines will auto-change)

Practicing various scoring techniques using team practice or 1 on 1 practice
Average: 5.1
High: 10
Low: 1
(Huge variance here again - this can be great practice not just to 'learn goalie tendencies' but to learn how your forwards will cycle the puck when deep in the zone, and to see what the different offensive strategies look like.)

Managing defensive line changes
Average: 4.8
High: 10
Low: 1
(Again same as with offensive line changes, but less important.)

Taking control of my goalie during high % scoring situations
Average: 2.8
High: 9
Low: 1
(Least important, but still very important to some - worth learning the shortcut to take goalie control. L1+X (LB + A)

Fighting in NHL 11 and Why You Need To Learn

2010-09-02T12:43:00.001-04:00

Usually, fights in ranked online matches are few and far between. Or so it was in NHL 10. Usually, fights only occurred when a frustrated player was losing and wanted to take out their anger on their opponents best sniper. With NHL 11, this may not be the case.

Why? As shown in the video below, the energy gained from a fight seems to be much greater in NHL 11 than it ever was in NHL 10 (looks like 5 bars gained in NHL 10 compared to 8 bars in NHL 11) Add on top the fact that fatigue is more of a factor in NHL 11, and the new Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) mode where people will be playing with less skilled teams so any advantage will be sought after - NHL 11 could be a bloodbath.

Bottom line. Practice fighting, keep an eye on fatigue, know who the biggest meanest player on your team is, and let him loose if you find yourself under the gun.

Defensive Breakdown #1 in NHL 11 - Getting Out of Position

2010-08-31T12:10:00.011-04:00

In the video we see a very common occurrence that can easily lead to an odd-man rush or a breakaway. The defense (Chicago's #2 Duncan Keith) thinks he's got the situation under control and moves in to put a big check on Gagne. He gets the check, but Gagne gets rid of the puck first and now Keith is hopelessly out of position. The resulting goal could have been avoided if Keith played his position.

Video:

Scoring with a Right-Handed Player from the Left Side in NHL 11

2010-08-31T03:08:00.010-04:00

A useful tactic has emerged from an odd setup. Skating up the left side with Dave Bolland, a right-handed shooter, he pulls the puck to a backhand and somehow, inadvertently, the move enabled the 6'0 185lb Bolland to beat the 6'5 225lb Coburn on the rush by way of shoulder-pad to the face!

NHL.com states that only 1% of left-wingers are right-handed and only 27% of centers.

However, if you find yourself in this situation, drop that shoulder and plow through!

Video:

Deke Variations and One-Handed Dekes in NHL 11

2010-08-30T08:24:00.010-04:00

Wondering how to do a one-handed deke?

What about that smooth between-the-legs deke rather than the skate-kick version from yesterday?

Warm up your middle finger then! In the video below I show a couple of dekes, both are performed by first holding down the L2 button (vision control) then executing the deke. You literally have to hold L2 with your middle finger, get the puck where you want it, then hold down L1 with your pointer finger and use the right stick to execute the deke.

To do the smooth between the legs deke (ie. no skate kick) see yesterdays post, then all you need to do is hold L2 while you're pulling off the regular move and instead of the kick, it'll come through the legs clean.

To perform a one-handed deke (with a left-hander), hold L2 and push the right stick right, then rotate clockwise until your player holds the stick out in a puck-protect kind of fashion (about 5 o'clock on the stick - if you go any further you will spin-o-rama).

While still holding L2, press and hold L1, then move the right stick up or down or left or right etc., and you will perform a one-handed deke. The direction you move the right stick determines the deke you'll perform.

And that's how to perform a one handed deke in NHL 11!

Video:

(Video) NHL 11 Between the Legs Deke Tutorial

2010-08-29T03:13:00.008-04:00

Perhaps the coolest looking deke move in the entire game is surprisingly easy to pull off. Instructions based on a left-handed shooter.

1. Acquire the puck with a left-handed shooter.

2. Pull the puck back like you're about to do a hard wrist-shot .

3. While holding the puck in the wrist shot position, stop skating forward (just glide) & press and hold the L1 button.

4. Release the right stick to neutral. (still holding L1)

5. Flick the right stick straight down. (still holding L1)

Now score! Watch the video to see it all together:

NHL 11 - Goals on the Rush

2010-08-28T00:07:00.008-04:00

Many players think that to create goals on the rush in NHL 11, you have to have an aggressive breakout to beat defense the up the ice. This can be very tough to accomplish, so next time you're playing try using these settings and see how you do:

NHL 11 (Demo)
Battle for the Cup
Difficulty: All-star
Mode: Normal
Breakout: Defend Lead
Forecheck: 1-2-2 High
Defensive Strategy: Tight Point
Defensive Pressure: Normal
Offensive Strategy: Default to Blackhawks's lines.

The demo restricts play to just the 3rd period - but during that time I managed to score 5 goals on the rush (or generated from the rush).

I know that the Flyers have a very aggressive forecheck in this game - so while all their players are deep in my end, I have 2 forwards guarding the point ready to take off as soon as I take the puck away.

I keep my breakout to 'defend lead' so that my forwards are close by when I need to pass from my defense rather than half-way up the ice. Otherwise, with Philly's crazy forecheck, all my D-men's passes would have a high likelihood of being intercepted.

Call it a cliche, but the best offense is a good defense.

Video:

NHL 11 Skate Kick Deke

2010-08-27T23:40:00.004-04:00

There are several new deke moves available in NHL 11. One such is the skate kick deke where your player changes up his speed, kicks the puck off his skates and recovers nicely. This is performed by skating forward, holding down the L1 button and flicking the right stick downwards. It can really confuse defenders - works great on the rush.

Video:

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Dump & Chase vs Aggresive Breakout in NHL 11

2010-08-27T02:50:00.008-04:00

Tip of the Day - August 27th 2010

The dump and chase. This isn't something real people do, right? Just the AI? Well, there's certain situations where a dump and chase is very effective in NHL 11.

If you notice your opponent has a very aggressive breakout, try a few dump and chase plays, because here's what can happen:

The opponent gets the puck deep in his own end on the boards
All the opponents players start breaking toward your end because of the aggressive breakout
You poke check, body check or otherwise get the puck
You have a VERY open play to either dangle to the net or setup a high % one-timer

My Settings: NHL 11 Demo / Battle for the Cup / Difficulty: "All-star" / Mode: "Normal" / Offensive Setup: "Crash the Net"

Video:

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NHL 11 Demo Settings Creating Lazy Players!

2010-08-26T01:33:00.002-04:00

Tip of the Day (August 26th 2010)

Are you playing lazy? If all you are playing is Hockey Ultimate Team, then yes, my friend, you are. To enter the real world of NHL 11, battle for the cup and set the difficulty to all-star and the mode to normal (same settings as ranked online games.)

Switching these two settings will really give you an appreciation for the new and improved defensive AI. It's very difficult even for long-time NHL 10 players to score on this setup, as many of the old-style scoring methods are not as effective, especially the good old cross-ice pass on the rush.

How to handle this? Get tighter defensively. Defense, in the end, is what leads to breakaways and 2 on 1 situations.

If playing as the Blackhawks, you'll find that with aggressive defense the Flyers use the dump and chase + aggressive forecheck technique. To counter this forecheck, try setting your breakout to conservative or even defend lead. You'll find there's more open players to pass to when trying to get the puck out of your end.

This should start you off on the right foot when trying to adapt to the much more difficult gameplay of the all-star + normal settings, which will have you well prepared for your first ranked online match of NHL 11!

The Art of Sniping in NHL 11

2010-08-25T03:22:00.002-04:00

This is by far my favourite way to score. 5 on 5, a defender or 2 in front of me, and I light the lamp cleanly.

Difficulty: 8/10 when in All-Star + Normal mode & 2/10 when in Pro + Default mode

Shooter: Sniper
Technique:
1. Get your sniper to the top of the slot (middle of the ice, tops of the circles or deeper)
2. Pull back the puck and hold it or dangle to confuse the goalie and evade defenders
3. While (With a left-hander) skating to the right
4. Fire left to the top shelf, over the blocker.

Notes: One way I've found to get in position at the top of the slot without getting hammered by d-men is to rush straight down the middle, then slow (not stop) just as I'm entering the slot. This gives me enough room to make things happen.

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Video #1 - Practicing on Pro / Default difficulty:

Video #2 - Much Harder, but Still Achievable on All-Star / Normal difficulty:

Sniping on a Breakaway in NHL 11

2010-08-25T02:17:00.002-04:00

Love the way this looks in a game. Player goes one way, puck goes the other, goalie looks like a douche.

Difficulty: 4/10
Shooter: LH or RH Sniper
Technique:
1. Breakaway
2. Pull the puck back to the forehand side and dangle
+
3. Cross the slot close to the goalie from forehand side to backhand side and fire to the near top-shelf corner
4. Fire when A) You see the goalie move with you B) You're just past halfway across the width of the ice

Video:

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The Breakaway Backhand Goal for NHL 11

2010-08-25T01:49:00.002-04:00

Scoring this one in NHL 11 is a piece of cake... it's getting the breakaway that's the hard part.

Difficulty: 8/10
Shooter: LH Skilled forward
Technique:
1. Get away from all defenders and those nasty diving poke-checks.
2. Pull puck back-left, dangle until you're inches from the crease.
3. At the last second, bring the puck right and backhand top shelf to avoid the pad.

Notes:
I DO NOT hold L2 to do this as I end up spinning around and screwing up everything.

Video:

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Easy NHL 11 Backhand Goal

2010-08-23T16:58:00.002-04:00

So far, I've only come across 1 easy goal for NHL 11 and this is it:

Player: Fast LW with a left-handed shot (Henrik Zetterberg)
Breakout: Aggressive or Full Attack
Technique: During the breakout pass to your LW who should already be on the way to the left boards at center-ice, press the L2 button to have him push the puck ahead once and maybe twice to get beside or ahead of the defender. Now cut to the net and right in front of the goalie, pull the puck to your backhand and pop it in on the far side low.

Works best against: Tired defense, defense on a tight-point strategy, CPU.

Doesn't work well against: Fresh defense, defense on a collapsing strategy, skilled human players.

Alternatives: Wrap-around, pass for one-timer, popping it the near-side post.

------
Video showing the technique, and a few alternatives that can stem from the basic idea.

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Scoring using Screens and Deflections in NHL 11

2010-08-23T16:29:00.002-04:00

The NHL 11 demo is here! Are you good enough to earn a trophy in the Hockey Ultimate Team mode? Team Canada can be pretty tricky... However, you can be good enough to earn that trophy. Scoring in NHL 11 is definitely different than NHL 10. Goalies seem more realistic, which is great for beginners and old pro's alike - here's why: Screens & Deflections work!

Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy to get shots off, HARD to get the hang of scoring even 25% of the time)

Shooter: Skilled OFD or Forward just north of the blue line

Technique:
1. Offensive setup = Crash the Net + Forecheck = 3-2 (This ensures traffic and onside D-men)
2. Start with the puck low or behind the net
3. Cycle to an open D-man or skate the forward to the point
4. While in motion, as in moving the player left or right adjacent to the goal, fire the puck low to the opposite side of your direction of movement. Repeat as necessary.

Video: