Wild slap shots - anyone else experiencing this?

Hi there. I haven't seen other reports of this and I'm not noticing it in my own games. I'll keep an eye out for it. Have you also tried using a different controller or tested the one you use for any issues?

Hello.  Thanks for the speedy reply!  OK.  Well, the controller I'm using is brand new so I'd be surprised if that was the issue.  Could be though I guess.  I'll try to troubleshoot it.  Maybe it needs to have the firmware installed again.  Those installs can hiccup (I installed an update when I started using it).   I'll let you know if I have any further issues after I try to do that.  Or at least look at my options within the setup section.  :)

Hello again EA_Aljo.  Well I reapplied the firmware twice and recalibrated the new controller twice.  Then I played a game of NHL 26.  Here's a screenshot (from a video) of my Oakland Seals player taking a slap shot after receiving a pass near the blue line.  Very odd.  I'll guess I'll try another new controller.  Maybe this one (even though it's brand new) is defective.  Just came directly from Microsoft though.  :(  I tried to upload the video but it wasn't allowed so I uploaded the video to YouTube (link below).  The screenshot shows multiple images (sorry) but you can see how wildly off the shot goes.

Here's the YouTube link for the video:  

https://youtu.be/rLkUscM-KoY

OK.  Just opened up another brand new Microsoft controller, updated the firmware, and recalibrated it.  Launched NHL 26 and it's still happening.  Very odd.

Here's another video from a new game.  Back to the first brand new Microsoft controller.  Checked twice for calibration.  Same teams (although that is irrelevant).

https://youtu.be/mx0zRhXrK6g

Hey there. That kind of looks like a slap pass. Were you accidentally holding in RT/R2?

Hello.  It does look like that.  But no, I wasn't holding RT/R2.  I think it happens if you don't return the right stick to a nearly perfect top dead center position.  I went into practice mode and I couldn't recreate the issue.  I've been very careful when playing a game now and it seems to have disappeared.  My only suggestion would be to give a little more latitude to the position that the stick has to return to in order to execute a slap shot on net.  Maybe a few more degrees on either side of top dead center of the stick?

So far, the only way I've been able to make that happen is by holding in RT/R2. Otherwise, every shot is at the net. It's pretty odd if it's happening without doing that. I know you're using a new controller so it doesn't seem like it would be a controller issue. That's the only other thing I can think of though. Regardless, sounds like it's back to working normally. Let me know if it continues. Thanks!

Hmmm.  OK.  I've been very careful returning the right stick to top dead center and it seems to have disappeared.  I tried the game with two different brand new controllers in fact (I opened one that I really didn't want to as I was saving it but oh well).

For fun I asked Google's AI if anyone was experiencing wild slap shots in NHL 26 and here's the response (interesting - or maybe it's referencing this post/thread):

Yes, players are reporting inconsistent/wild slapshots (like slices/hooks) after recent patches in EA NHL games (likely NHL 26), especially when skating or stationary, turning shots into unpredictable "bumper pool," indicating a physics/animation bug after updates, common in EA Sports titles. 

Common Player Feedback & Experience:

• Weird Shot Angles: Players describe shots going way off target, wide left or right, even when aiming straight at the net.
• Physics Glitch: It feels like a broken physics interaction, where the puck's trajectory is unnatural and unpredictable.
• Post-Patch Issue: Many users link this specific problem directly to the latest game updates, suggesting a regression in shot mechanics.
• Bumper Pool Effect: Sometimes other players or objects might deflect it, but it's usually chaotic rather than helpful. 

What It Might Be:

• Animation Glitch: The player's shot animation might be decoupling from the intended shot vector.
• Physics Engine Bug: The puck physics might not be correctly calculating spin or impact after the patch.
• Player Attributes/Momentum: While less likely the sole cause, player momentum or stick handling might interact poorly with the new mechanics. 

Where to Find More Info:

• Check the official EA Forums or Reddit for widespread discussions and potential workarounds or confirmation from EA. 

Check the official EA Forums or Reddit for widespread discussions and potential workarounds or confirmation from EA. 

I'm really not aware of these reports on our forums and I haven't noticed an abundance of them on reddit. My teammates are not complaining about slapshots frequently going in a different direction than where they're aiming. I'll keep an eye out for other reports though. Thanks!