Defensive interceptions and forced passes

Chances are excellent this is more of an issue with reaction time than clipping. Even if the stick weren't clipping, that pass would probably have made it through. Regardless, I get what you're saying and will pass this on. Thank you as always.

https://www.xbox.com/play/media/SQd5rYs2fm

Lmao. I mean, what can I even say at this point. It doesn't matter what I do. I can be running a super defensive build with 97(!) defensive awareness and quick pick, I can be in excellent position to disrupt the pass, and what do I get? My player getting his stick tangled up so I can't make a play. This game sucks. 

https://www.xbox.com/play/media/mMYBsEMrbm 

97 defensive awareness, I'm gliding so that I can have a better chance at making a play on the puck, and my player just completely whiffs while the opposing forward just grabs the puck out of a pile of players and scores. This game isn't fun to play.

https://www.xbox.com/play/media/rbKa3h2ae7

My build in this clip has 97 defensive awareness and gold quick pick. I'm backskating to face the puck. I'm closer to the passing option, so it's not a reaction time issue. There's two defenders in the lane. Who gets the puck? Yeah, exactly.

While I'm on this subject, I'd like to offer this bit of feedback EA_Aljo 

The mechanic where you need to stop skating to intercept pucks is too harsh. For example, if I'm defending a 2-on-1, my main priority is to take away the passing option, so I have to make sure I'm constantly in that passing lane. But, to have a good chance at intercepting the pass, I have to stop skating. Well, if I stop skating, these 94/95 speed players will blow right past my player. Also, if the passing option stops up or moves to open up the lane, I have to skate to get back in the passing lane. So, not skating isn't really an option.

On the flip side, going for pokechecks or any kind of defensive skill stick play is basically just guaranteeing that the puck carrier will pass, and there's basically no chance of disrupting the play at that point because dss just flat out doesn't do anything and pokechecking instantly slows you down and takes you out of the play. And, even if you DO get a successful pokecheck, odds are the forward will just pick the puck back up again instantly.

Defensemen are constantly having to read and react to quick, agile movements, so penalizing players for skating when they HAVE to is really harsh. I would like to see it be where having high defensive awareness enables you to maintain your ability to grab pucks while moving, whereas having low defensive awareness forces you to glide to have a chance at making a play on the puck. This should also be the case with offensive awareness, but in the context of receiving passes from teammates.

Idk. I've been pointing out these issues for years and nothing seems to ever change. Unless EA really improves defense and goaltending, I think NHL 25 will be my last time purchasing an NHL game. This franchise just isn't fun anymore.

You’re right that the interceptions should work better. I won’t debate that. This is meant to help you adjust to the flawed game and have more fun. You need to stand much closer to the receiver not right in the middle. Doesn’t always work but has a much higher success rate. If you are caught in the middle use LB to completely block the lane. 

The best strategy though is to play as a team to prevent zone entry in the first place. Have your forwards abandon the forecheck all together and stack your own blue line. Counter attack off the forced turnovers on zone entry. 

I get the first video is frustrating. In most cases, your stick isn't going to get tangled up like that. 

For the second video, you didn't pick it up because your skates passed through the stick. If you clip through another player or object, the puck can't be picked up.

The 3rd video it's like your skate clipped the goalie. Which, is going to interrupt your attempt to intercept.

Thanks for all the feedback.

So, if a single pixel of my player makes contact with another player, the interception mechanic just breaks? Doesn't that seems like a problem?  Especially in a game that is based on a CONTACT sport? I'm sorry, but asking players to be THAT precise, to avoid contacting other players in even the slightest way, just to be able to make a play on a puck when they have NINETY SEVEN DEFENSIVE AWARENESS AND GOLD QUICK PICK is completely ridiculous.

You know what's funny though? Players can stand in front of the goalie, put the controller down, get smacked around by a defender, and the game will have ZERO issue automatically tipping pucks into the net for them. Weird how defenders and goaltenders are asked to be pixel perfect just to have a 50/50 chance at making a play, but offensive players can get rewarded for literally doing nothing.

https://www.xbox.com/play/media/msfzQAavuK 

Well, would you look at that? I'm all over the offensive player, making contact, initiating a stick tie up, and he just easily tips the puck in the net. Apparently, this clipping excuse only comes into play when you're defending. 

Well, thanks for confirming the game is just rigged in favor of offense. Appreciate it.

SummerOfDekesII wrote:

So, if a single pixel of my player makes contact with another player, the interception mechanic just breaks? Doesn't that seems like a problem? Especially in a game that is based on a CONTACT sport? I'm sorry, but asking players to be THAT precise, to avoid contacting other players in even the slightest way, just to be able to make a play on a puck when they have NINETY SEVEN DEFENSIVE AWARENESS AND GOLD QUICK PICK is completely ridiculous.

I think in NHL 25 the ability to disrupt passes as a defender is actually in a better place than it has been in recent years.  But when it comes to the "you can't disrupt that puck because you touched another player or stick ever so slightly" mechanic, I share your frustration.   I might not be so bad if offence was held to the same standard, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Funny enough, I had a classic example happen to me the other night.   In this clip I'm the defender ( TWF, 92 DEF Awareness, gold quick pick ).  I feel like I've got good body position, and the offensive player's stick is between my legs.  He should have no leverage to get a shot off even if the puck gets to him.   But my player inexplicably decides that waiting to pick off the pass with his foot instead of his stick is the way to go.  And then the offensive player takes a one-handed one-timer ( with impressive flex for a one-handed shot ) that beats the goalie.  He actually doesn't even seem to make contact with the puck, his stick never reaches the ice..  If the positions were reversed, a defender with his stick between an offensive player's legs would have no chance of interacting with the puck  because the contact would negate his ability to do so. 

No. The game is not rigged in favor of offense. You can still affect the puck when bumping another player. Just not when clipping through them. Thanks for the feedback.

https://www.xbox.com/play/media/Aa3vR5Cpif

These are the kinds of plays I'm talking about.  I'm not upset that the other player ended up with the puck eventually, cause he basically initiated body contact which kinda stuttered my player and then the goalscorer just made a nice play.

The issue I have is with the lead up to that moment. I'm backskating to face the puck, my stick blade is in a better position to grab the puck, my build has 96 defensive awareness and I believe silver quick pick. I'm not saying I should get the cleanest interception here, but why can't I make any sort of play on that puck? Why can't I at least block that pass?

Most likely, the issue is the stick clipping through the skate that is causing the pick up to fail.