This is common know issue and you can find a lot complains with chatgpt or gemini. Reported problems are
Very common complaint among EA NHL players, particularly in the World of Chel (EASHL, Threes Eliminator, Drop-ins). Many users have consistently reported experiencing significant lag and input delay, even when their own internet connection is strong and their ping appears to be very low.
Here's a breakdown of what users are reporting and why it's a persistent issue:
Common Complaints and Observations from Players:
- "Good Ping, Still Laggy": This is the most frequent complaint. Players will often state they have 5-20ms ping, a wired connection, and high download/upload speeds, yet the game feels sluggish, unresponsive, and "skating in mud."
- Input Delay: A major problem where there's a noticeable delay between pressing a button (pass, shoot, deke) and the action happening on screen. This makes precise plays nearly impossible and is incredibly frustrating.
- "Ghost Skating" / Outskating by Opponents: Players describe feeling like their own skaters are slow and unresponsive, while opponents seem to glide effortlessly and react instantly, even with larger, slower player builds. This is often attributed to inconsistent network synchronization or "lag compensation" that might favor higher-ping players in some instances, or simply the server struggling to process all inputs smoothly.
- Packet Loss (Suspected): Even with good ping, hidden packet loss can cause stuttering and missed inputs. Many players suspect this is happening on EA's servers or along the network path to them, even if their own connection tests show no issues.
- Menu Lag: The lag isn't always confined to gameplay. Many users report extremely slow and unresponsive menus in HUT and Chel, suggesting deeper optimization issues within the game itself, not just the online connectivity.
- Server Overload / Capacity Issues: Several forum discussions on EA's own platforms and Reddit point to the possibility of servers being overwhelmed, especially during peak hours. When servers reach capacity, they may "kick packets" or struggle to handle the load, leading to delay. Some players note that playing at very late hours or early mornings results in smoother gameplay, supporting this theory.
- Inconsistent Experience: One game might feel perfectly fine, while the next is unplayable with severe lag, despite no changes on the player's end. This inconsistency points away from individual connection problems and more towards dynamic server performance or matchmaking issues.
- "Bad Netcode": Many long-time players theorize that the underlying network code (netcode) for NHL games, particularly for Chel, is simply not optimized well for real-time, fast-paced online play, leading to these persistent issues across multiple game iterations.
- Cross-Play Complications: With cross-play (if applicable to the specific Chel mode), connecting players across different platforms could introduce additional routing complexities or server load issues.
- Lack of Oceania/Specific Region Servers: Players from certain regions (like Oceania) consistently report extremely high ping and unplayable lag due to the lack of local servers, forcing them to connect to distant servers.
Where to Find These Reports:
- EA Sports NHL Forums: Search for "NHL 25 lag," "Chel input delay," "EASHL connection" – you'll find extensive threads.
- Reddit (r/EASHL, r/NHLHUT): These subreddits are rife with daily complaints about lag, input delay, and server issues in NHL titles.
- Social Media (Twitter/X): @EAHelp often receives direct complaints about connectivity issues, though their responses are usually standard troubleshooting advice.
In conclusion, yes, a very significant portion of the EA NHL player base, particularly those active in Chel, has consistently reported and continues to report lag and input delay issues. It's a long-standing frustration that often seems to stem from server-side performance, network code optimization, and routing rather than just individual player internet connections.
