Coming from a player that only plays offline (gave up on online in NHL 22) - I can confirm that as long as you play on a high difficulty that you will get goalies that are competent and able to steal games for you or the AI team. Most of my games are close and usually have to work hard to get goals. Even the one-tee issue that was online was not affecting Offline and now it is even more reduced. I can games without one going in. I have even had some highlight reel saves by my AI controlled goalie and the AI opposing team goalie.
I think this is the most fun I have had and feel the games are actually a good challenge where I have to fight for wins now, whereas in NHL 24, you had to do a few types of goals to win games and were almost automatic.