My final NHL game

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.