Originally Posted by jza1218 What's the benefit to holding lt while stick lifting?

Squares you up with the defender better, supposedly more focused (ie. vision control), less likely to cause a penalty, etc. It only really applies if the puck carrier's facing you though. If you're trying to stick lift while chasing from behind, you're just rolling the dice on if it will work at all or if you'll just get called for slashing/hooking. And since it does slow you down, that's when I'd just use a poke check to pester the guy or try to get him to panic. Sometimes when I'm poking, I'm not even trying to go for the puck. I'm just trying to cut off angles or make the guy do something dumb.

I think this is what teams do to us. The second we touch the puck (especially in our own end), they hammer on LT + A immediately. I think we're more inclined to try to poke the puck away (because it makes more sense). It just doesn't work as well in the game as raping somebody's stick out of their hands. Alan and Gary probably know more about it than I do since they deal with it a lot more, both trying to stick lift and also getting raped immediately off the faceoff. That's just the biggest area I've been trying to get better at because it seems like the best way to hold the blue line. Poking does no good against danglers. Some guys walk right through checks. But if you're in the right position, stick lifts seem to work most of the time.

For me, general rules of thumb on D are:

1.) 90% of the time, I'm LT-ing 100% of the time (I seldom let go of LT, really only if someone seems to be able to pass me up and I can't be back-skating or im going to get beat)

2.) If i'm, within arms reach, stick lift. Otherwise, poke.

3.) For LB dekes, poke during the deke itself, body after the deke

4.) For RS dangling, if my player is facing a direction where he doesn't need to turn/rotate to face the puck carrier (which is a majority of the time since I LT so much), stick lift, otherwise poke if it's a straight shot from my stick to the puck (so I dont reach thru the feet), otherwise, go for the body.

5.) If someone is skating perpendicular to my direction, never stick lift, only poke or body.

6.) If it's 1v1 in front of the net for position, always tie up, never try to poke at a pass. Your player will automatically intercept a puck more often than you can poke a cross creaser. Same goes if there's more guys in the crease than defender, never poke at a pass, just trust your skater to intercept it or hit the guy as long as he is in the "penalty free zone." Again, your skater will do the right thing more often than you poking the puck away with RB.

Originally Posted by n8rockerasu Ah, I didn't think you were bad offensively. You had at least one multi-goal game that I can remember. Brandon and I talk about this all the time though. That's where having a forward line where all 3 people can step up and make plays is critical. We all have nights where we just can't seem to find the back of the net, and we need our linemates to step up and carry the team for a game or two.

Oh I agree 100%. That's why I love playing with you and Brandon on the forward line. I know that even if I can't score, you guys will. I know early on I had some success, it just felt like I had a hart time getting shots through, finding good passes, etc. Probably my imagination.

Our defense against that douchebag team was amazing. Especially after we fell behind 1-0. Just a complete and total shutdown at that point. It's why, when the 5 of us are playing, I try and make the point that we should challenge ourselves a little more against Elite teams. I think we can hold our own with some of those teams, and it could help make us better in the long term.

All great points Alan. When playing D I think the only time I let go of LT is when skating into their zone. I also am one to take the body in front of the net. Not always jostle but hit them as they move. I will say, we have played with each other so long that our positioning is flawless and we can read each other so well. I know if I crash the net, I have two options. Alan moves to the right and either Nate or a winger will drop back. Thats how it's suppose to go how ever. Playing hockey IRL for two years now has also helped my play as well. Just takes a game or two for me to warm up how ever.

Originally Posted by moojuice For me, general rules of thumb on D are: 1.) 90% of the time, I'm LT-ing 100% of the time (I seldom let go of LT, really only if someone seems to be able to pass me up and I can't be back-skating or im going to get beat) 2.) If i'm, within arms reach, stick lift. Otherwise, poke. 3.) For LB dekes, poke during the deke itself, body after the deke 4.) For RS dangling, if my player is facing a direction where he doesn't need to turn/rotate to face the puck carrier (which is a majority of the time since I LT so much), stick lift, otherwise poke if it's a straight shot from my stick to the puck (so I dont reach thru the feet), otherwise, go for the body. 5.) If someone is skating perpendicular to my direction, never stick lift, only poke or body. 6.) If it's 1v1 in front of the net for position, always tie up, never try to poke at a pass. Your player will automatically intercept a puck more often than you can poke a cross creaser. Same goes if there's more guys in the crease than defender, never poke at a pass, just trust your skater to intercept it or hit the guy as long as he is in the "penalty free zone." Again, your skater will do the right thing more often than you poking the puck away with RB.

Shit, this is going in the NHL 13 OP, lol. Really good advice, and basically a "paint by number" for anyone who wants to improve their defense. It's just too bad most people got scared off when challenged with elevating their play (considering how many people initially joined the team). Outside of "The Playoff 5", it's really just Destro and Magic. Definitely info they could benefit from though.

Gonna leave this little gem here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1uo_PdStXs&hd=1

Also, this totally happened while uploading ( I know this is NHL 12, was typo at first, decided to just run with it)

^LOL...holy shit! Yeah, it really blows my mind to hear EA continually brag about their "real world physics". What I want to know is what the hell business do they have even discussing physics? Are they scientists all of a sudden? It's like listening to a high school football player brag about getting a C- on his Biology test. Really? You have a complete grasp on the subject now, do you? And they're doing the same shit with Madden 13 now. I can't wait to see what ridiculous glitches happen in that game. Bend your body around a tackle? PHYSICS!!!

Physics! Now since....(offstage whisper) new for NHL 2014!

Anybody up for NHL tonight? I probably won't be able to play tomorrow, so I was hoping to get some games in tonight. I should be on around 10 PM EST.

I might play for a little tonight.

Tonight works better for me this week as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IKzrmkWZko

LOL at these ridiculous videos lately. What the hell is going on with this game???

Also, this is what I was referring to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8LsS4Qkq9I

The only thing that would have made that hit even more epic was if the glass broke.

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Originally Posted by jza1218 The only thing that would have made that hit even more epic was if the glass broke.

Yeah, I want to see someone fly into the stands. Maybe we can request that for NHL 14. Hurricane kicks that send players flying into the stands. I think that would really show off the new physics engine.

Fatalities, coming NHL 15!

I demand blood and guts in my game.

I don't see why no blood, it happens from time to time.

Yes, but it would suck to randomly get a double minor since the game decided your opponent would bleed on a high stick.