AI Defending in 1v1 Gameplay (Online)

It feels like online 1v1 gameplay is against the AI not the player. They removed AI defending in NHL 19, but brought it back in NHL 25, and I think that was a horrible decision cuz when I play online I want to be better than the opponent but with AI being so good it doesnt feel rewarding to play. I think the AI shouldnt hit, poke, bump or take penalties, it takes so much away from the competitive 1v1 gameplay + it rewards players who dont play active defence so that makes the game boring. AI defending has advantages if we talk about for example bumps from behind, you can only bump your opponent with truculence and its horrible for the game cuz players can just circle around in the ozone if they want and you cant do nothing about it (bumps were in the game last time in NHL 24)