Defense is a joke

Question

Can't stick lift, or poke check reliably.

Reverse hitting somehow works against poke and stick lifts as well...

What tools are we left with??

I play with and against top clubs. The best you can do is keep the skater to the outside. Defense is an absolute joke this year. Ruined it entirely.

But hey at least forwards can somehow skate sideways on skate blades that are perpendicular to the ice. That's really cool.

Worst NHL game in years and that is saying something! Not purchasing next year for the first time in 15 years. Enough is enough. Can't even get lobbies working properly. In drop in I hear random people from random lobbies half the time.

The game is so broken. Developers must have no pride at all in the quality of their work.

kidshowtime1867 · Answer

I like defending this year. Poke check is meant to disrupt possession, not change it. Stick lift requires more intention rather than using it to bail you out when you've lost the puck and your position. Defensive Skill stick can be used to cause puck disruptions that interfere or otherwise prevent quality shots and passes. Nobody ever mentions this nuance around here.