Community ManagerYour D had their back turned to the play. Their chances of breaking up the pass are significantly lower then.
And do you know why my back was turned? Because backskating is so slow that if I kept backskating, the defender would have blown right by me, or the puck carrier would've just passed the puck behind my skates. So, I recognized this fact and did a 180 to skate faster and stay in the passing lane. Players do this all the time in real hockey with no problem. Only in this poorly thought out game are you punished for playing smart hockey.
If you want defensemen to constantly backskate, make it so that backskating isn't going to get us completely burned, because that's what happens in this terrible game EA has designed. The game was slowed down, but you know how the game is still played? BEE LINE BEE LINE BEE LINE. Forwards aren't playing a slower, methodical, east-west style of hockey. No, they're still just maxing their speed and hustling in a straight line because IT STILL WORKS! Straight line speed is STILL the meta!
And you know what's funniest of all? If the forwards were in MY position in these clips, they would have received those passes no problem, and if I had complained you would be right here telling me, "well, of course they got the pass! They were in better position!"
Edit: Removed offensive comments. Please be constructive without breaking the rules. -CM
Community ManagerI get what you're saying. I play the same way. I skate forward more than I back skate when getting back to my zone to defend a rush. I'm not saying there are no issues here. I'm just saying why those passes weren't intercepted.
Ok, so then maybe that's something that the dev team should consider changing? Like, doesn't it seem odd that forwards can receive these passes without issue, but defensemen get punished? Imo, this is a balancing issue that's been in need of addressing for a long time.
Community ManagerThat's certainly a fair statement. I'll pass on the feedback.
Also, pick ups aren't always guaranteed. For example, you have a better chance when gliding vs skating. The player's puck control and hand-eye ratings are also part of it. Again, not saying what happened here is good. Just giving you some context as to what helps with pick ups.
Also, regarding the first clip, that should have been picked up. We're looking into why that didn't happen. Appreciate you sending these over.
