Latest important tips for playing NHL 21

NHL 21 is a game that improves upon what NHL 20 laid out for it. Be A Pro is finally a playable game mode while skating feels more refined and in tune with the real world. The trade deadline is hectic and awesome, but the same issues that have been plaguing the game since NHL 15 are still there. Sure, the game is way better than back then, but even now, it feels like you can still see the flashes of the mess that NHL 15 was.  This guide describes in detail some important tips in NHL 21. By familiarizing themselves with these important tips, players can better experience the NHL 21 game.

The game is fun, and if you've been waiting years for a new Be A Pro, then this game is probably a safe buy. However, if we're looking at how NHL 21 has gotten to this point, the finished product is underwhelming, to say the least. Keeping some top NHL 21 tips to hand will have you skating in the right direction throughout this unconventional season. EA's latest hockey sim offers plenty of bang for your puck, from carving out a solo career in Be A Pro, to steering a franchise-sized ship to annual glory, to NHL 21's excellent World Of CHEL online mode.

 

NHL 21: IMPORTANT TIPS

PRACTICE

Dekes, shooting, passing, and more: there's plenty going on in NHL 21 that you have to control through a handful of buttons. As a result, it pays dividends to practice. This is emphasized from the comprehensive tutorials, helping you know the game inside out and getting your eye in across the ice. For example, I have put extra time into practicing the timing, skating, and momentum when going for a big hit. This isn't as easy as skating in the vicinity of another player: it comes via a mix of familiarity and instinct, fine-tuned by putting the extra hours in.

SHOOTING & PASSING TOOLS

On top of the fancy skills, there's a multitude of passing and shooting 'types' to cram into your arsenal, and the sooner you do this the better. Alongside wrist and slap shots, one-timer shots are a sure-fire way to test any goalie and prove an incredibly effective way to score given the speed and surprise they offer. Bypassing the puck and pre-emptively executing the controls to perform a one-time, you can turn any situation into a dangerous one. And in terms of passing, the underrated saucer pass is a quality move to use – enabling you to bypass defenders even if they, and their stick, are direct obstacles.

DEKES AND SKILLS

Dekes give you an edge in games and add some flair to your plays, but some can be tricky to nail. Knowing how to pull off a one-handed deke can be the difference between scoring a one-on-one and missing, and thus winning a game or not. Plus, they're cool as heck – so why wouldn't you want to have these in your armory? You can practice in the training camp tutorials, but to add a bit more realism, and jeopardy, spend time in HUT Rush which actively rewards you for being skillful – or in the more informal and spacious rinks of the World of CHEL mode.

DEFENSE

It's key to balance your offense with a solid defense. That's not to say defensemen shouldn't get involved in pressing for a goal, or that you should always have one of your forwards in defensive mode, but with the AI being more competent in NHL 21, each attack's threat is real. You can't just rely on your goalie.

A handy play I recommend is engaging your retreating players in backward skating relatively early when returning to your defensive zone so as to stay in front of the oncoming attack. This enables you to easily and safely engage in poke checks and stick lifts - as opposed to lunging at them hopelessly from behind, which is just asking for penalties.

FRANCHISE

The franchise mode's screens, menus, and options can be intimidatingly full and complex. The quicker you digest each of the facets of running a franchise and get on top, the quicker you can steer the ship in the right direction, and, more importantly, your direction. Break each chunk of the franchise down to singular factors to master one thing at a time. Then, be it rosters, the trade block, owner targets, or training, you'll soon be across everything.

BALANCE

Speaking of balance, in Be a Pro, you need to tread the right line with what you say. Due to there being repercussions from the conversations - affecting your brand (you as a star), your team-mates' attitude toward you (which can lead to on ice advantages and increased pass rates), and management likability (which helps with keeping you in the bosses' good books ensuring ice time and so on) - taking time to consider your response is wise. You can also emphasize your own lifestyle and professional approach by answering in line with your priorities. Want to look after yourself following your life on the ice? Prioritize your brand with the Star answers. See the team as the most important factor? Boost your team likability rating with answers that are team-centric. You can then accentuate this by investing in the dialogue skills to open up different avenues of conversation which reveal more options.

NHL 21: OTHER TIPS

AVOID LEAVING THE NET

Let's get this out of the way first: make sure you leave the crease as little as possible. While it might seem like a good idea for the goalie to leave the crease when the puck is behind the net, more often or not, it does not help. Rather, it would be wiser to let your skaters who are coming in on the backcheck to retrieve the puck. Yes, there are some instances where it's OK to leave the crease, such as after a clearing attempt by the opposing team while on a power play. But in most cases, avoid it at all costs.

WATCH THE PUCK

Now let's get into our first real goalie tip, and it's one that we don't think we need to tell NHL players, but it's worth repeating: When in the crease, make sure that you watch the puck at all times during the play. Doing this will allow you to better position and align yourself with the puck and the play itself. If the puck is on the left side of the ice (your left), move your body towards the left. The same applies to if the puck is on the right. It's also important to keep in mind this: plays move quickly. You need to make sure that you are attentive at all times, or you might get caught on a bang-bang play and give up a bad call.

AGGRESSIVENESS

Be mindful of how aggressive you are in the crease, not just in terms of playing the puck, but also how far out of the crease you are. Our recommendation is to be a bit farther from the crease when the puck is at or around the blue line in your zone, but then slowly retreat back into the net once the pucks move closer and closer to the net.

BUTTERFLY STANCE

The Butterfly stance has become a staple in the real NHL, so it shouldn't be a shocker that goalies in NHL 21 need to be familiar with this stance. The Butterfly not only helps you make saves more frequently, but it's also a guard against low shots. To go into the Butterfly stance, press and hold either RT (for Xbox One) or R2 (for PlayStation 4) when getting ready to face a shot.

GUARD

When the puck is deep in the own zone, it's a good idea to protect the sides of the net. To protect the sides, press LB + L (for Xbox) or L1 + Left Stick (for PlayStation) in whichever direction the puck is on the ice. If the puck is on your left, hug the left post. If the puck is on the right side, make sure to hug the right post.

KEEP ACTION

Make sure to focus on what's in front of you and the puck. While you might want to play for a cross-ice pass and push towards the opposing skater near the net, do not do this. It's important to let your team take care of the opposing skaters, and it's imperative that you trust your teammates to take them on. Your main focus should be facing the puck and to get ready to face a shot.

At last, In NHL 21, the revamped Be A Pro mode allows you to edit just about every aspect of your player’s skating. From the back curve to arm and stick swing, it’s all fair game. I hope you can use this NHL 21 TIPS content to help you better experience NHL 21. When you are in NHL 21 and coins are not enough, you can click here. Can help you solve problems such as the lack of NHL 21 Coins.