Questions from older casual player

I've been playing NHL since 94 and have bought the majority of editions ever since, although I don't play online and am very much a casual gamer.

I play All-Star as Pro is a bit too easy and I dominate time on the puck, my main issue is scoring and SOG. 

Does anyone have tips for passing? I see people online and in the (excellent) special team video tutorials make intricate passes through narrow gaps. I can never seem to excute this sort of play. I don't want to modify the sliders and would prefer to learn properly.

Is passing accuracy improved when you are just gliding and not skating? I'm not sure whether I'm imagining it.

Does the CPU take timeouts? I like to use it as an energy boost, but won't use it if the CPU doesn't.