My final NHL game

Hi there. Can you give me some feedback on why you're not liking NHL 26? Thanks!

EASHL 3v3 is unplayable, and I could go on forever. Every matchup is the same: outshoot, dominate time on attack, control play — it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a third teammate. The computer D-man gets burned in every 1 on 1, every single time. An offensive zone faceoff loss is an automatic goal nearly every single time because the opponent blows past the computer (even when set to defensive/passive) and gets a breakaway. Not to mention the goaltenders being incapable of stopping the same forehand backhand move that they see 10+ times a game. Outside of the massive disadvantage of playing 3-on-2, the entire gameplay feels clunky. The little “dodge” animation your player does to avoid contact without the puck puts you at a severe disadvantage by trapping your player for an extra second. This little animation paired with the computer usually being in the worst spot imaginable on defense makes it all the more difficult to play defense in your own zone. Shooting is strange and unnatural; one-timers are much harder to come by, with players instead opting for a catch and shoot, allowing the goalie to easily adjust and make a save. I understand there was some frustration from the player base with one-timers being abused in the past, but this weird new animation was not the right answer. X-factors were great in theory, but are abused. Truculence is impossible to play against, and Wheels is the computer’s kryptonite. The new hitting mechanics just feel so much worse. The game as a whole is a huge step down from past versions. Playing NHL24 and 25 (and before), I feel like I’m much more in control of my character, while in 26, it feels like it’s being controlled by the new animations. Aside from gameplay itself, there’s very little incentive to keep buying the game. EASHL has the potential to be one of the most unique game modes, but instead is very underdeveloped. The customization of your personal club is extremely limited, so there’s really no special feel year to year. Custom logos, custom goalie masks, more customizable arenas, etc. are little things that would make the game so much better. The isolated goal player celebration camera is one of the worst features ever added. It’s so cheesy and odd. In all, this game is a massive disappointment. My club has been playing together since NHL20 and usually sees a lot of success. This year, it’s a completely different story. We struggle every single game, mostly facing teams of 3 and get an occasional win when we luck out and play a team of 2. It’s disheartening that this game has become so unplayable that it’s going to end my 12-year loyalty, but it’s very clear there’s little care for what the fanbase thinks.

I really don’t get why people say this without giving any feedback. For me, NHL26 is the best NHL game I’ve played so far compared to all previous versions. I have bought every single game since NHL14. Good job EA !

EASHL 3v3 is unplayable, and I could go on forever. Every matchup is the same: outshoot, dominate time on attack, control play

Can you get some video showing how your club plays? I'm curious to see how you dominate every game, yet still lose. Hockey is more about how you play than dominating stats game to game. There are plenty of teams that utilize setting up quality shots over throwing everything on net hoping for a tip or rebound. 

The computer D-man gets burned in every 1 on 1

AI D are of course not ideal. I would assume that if you're playing 2s, you're also going up against other teams with AI defenders. They are the same on both sides, but if your opponents are backing them up, they're going to be taking away scoring opportunities.

with players instead opting for a catch and shoot

The catch and release one timers happen when your timing is off or your player isn't in the best position to receive the pass. 

Truculence is impossible to play against

I'll be the first to admit that I don't like Truculence. However, it's not impossible to play against. My club goes up against those players very frequently and we're not losing every game to them. They chase for hits and get out of position. Move the puck before you get hit and take advantage of one of their players being out of the play.

Your comments on presentation are valid. Not all of us like those changes.

It’s disheartening that this game has become so unplayable that it’s going to end my 12-year loyalty, but it’s very clear there’s little care for what the fanbase thinks.

This is absolutely not true. We most definitely care what the fanbase thinks. And I can't agree the game is unplayable. Granted, I only play 6v6 WoC so it's going to probably be a better experience than 3s. My club still has a lot of fun playing together. We also easily find matches so I don't see how the game is unplayable when there are so many others obviously playing. Regardless, the feedback is certainly appreciated.

Had a perfect example last night, I did not clip any of the game, however. I do have a screenshot of the box score, though. Shots and zone time were in our favor (but this obviously shouldn’t indicate an automatic win), we had quality scoring chances throughout the entire game, yet lost 10-8 because our opponent exploited the AI defense and goaltending being unable to read the same exact play 9 different times. All it took was a faceoff win and the other team had pretty much free access for a breakaway since the computer simply is not fast enough or smart enough to read the same player streaking down the wall with “Wheels”, going forehand backhand and scoring on a breakaway. I know playing with a computer isn’t going to necessarily give us an “advantage” but if it cannot stop the same exact play 9 times in the same game, I think there’s a problem. Players shouldn’t be discouraged from playing 2 on 3 in EASHL, but unfortunately that’s what’s driven me to change my decision on this game. Truculence might be tamer in 6 on 6, but in 3 on 3 (especially playing with an AI defender), it’s pretty much game breaking. Truculence eliminates your passing options by knocking players out of a play for 3-5 seconds. I remember earlier in this game’s existence when players would all wear truculence and make it impossible to possess the puck.

When I say unplayable, I mean unenjoyable. It’s not a very fun or rewarding game anymore. It seems like it’s not a very popular game among the fanbase anymore either, but I’d love to see the stats on sales and concurrent players year to year and hope I would be proved otherwise.

As for my club again, We don’t try to milk shots for tips or shoot for careless rebounds. In the 10-8 game I referenced earlier, I can assure you we had genuine 2 on 1 and quality one-timer chances. It really does seem like our computers play genuinely worse when we play 2 on 3. They’re completely ineffective in that capacity. I have a separate clip of a different game of our computer missing 2 open nets though, it was a good laugh until we lost the game by a goal.

The reason why we play 2 on 3? Our longtime 3rd member refuses to buy the game this year. There is no incentive for him anymore to pay the $60, or even the discounted prices, to play this game. 

My team and I enjoy the game, but the real mistake is trying to play 3s with an AI defenseman. It’s possible, but you need to adjust and recognize its limitations. Don’t count on the AI to deliver flawless defense—you’re in charge of your own defense in competitive matches. The AI isn’t there to win games for you or stop every breakaway. If it were, you wouldn’t need a human defenseman who can consistently hold the line. EA could easily make “god-like” AI that scores on every shot or blocks every breakaway, but that’s not the point of competitive play. That would be unfair to other teams and discourage finding real teammates, letting players simply rely on AI to win.

26 will be my last NHL game as well.  I'm done paying for a product that only gets worse and more unplayable every year.  I didn't buy 25 and made the mistake of buying 26.  Plus, considering who EA's new owners are, they will never get another cent from me.

I’m just curious why the AI goalies are noticeably easier to score on than in NHL 25. What was the rationale for this?

Thanks for the response.

yet lost 10-8 because our opponent exploited the AI defense and goaltending being unable to read the same exact play 9 different times. 

If you're going to use AI defenders, you absolutely must have one of the human players helping them out. This is obviously going to be more difficult in 3s since everyone plays out of position frequently. That's just the nature of 3 on 3 play. You're frequently swapping positions as needed. If you decide to switch to 6s, you can always have drop-in players replace the AI. I've filled on many different teams and my own club will use drop-in players occasionally. In most cases, it's way better than using AI players.

When I say unplayable, I mean unenjoyable. It’s not a very fun or rewarding game anymore. It seems like it’s not a very popular game among the fanbase anymore either, but I’d love to see the stats on sales and concurrent players year to year and hope I would be proved otherwise.

Thanks for clarifying. I find 3 on 3 play unenjoyable, but not unplayable. So, I can understand that feeling.

The reason why we play 2 on 3? Our longtime 3rd member refuses to buy the game this year. There is no incentive for him anymore to pay the $60, or even the discounted prices, to play this game. 

The game usually releases on Game Pass in the spring. Hopefully, they can give it a chance again then so you can play with more humans. There is a world of difference when playing with 4+ humans on each team.

Not sure if you work for EA, but there’s literally no penalties, which is a huge part of hockey…..