[Cliche]

I'm kind of annoyed they crippled the Classic controls. you can only poke check with them, and to do a pass block, you would have to dive to block passes.

Most of the time, it's better to set defense to collapse. so that when the blue arrow comes up, it'll indicate to the D to go to the front of the net and box out any intruders, especially in the slot.

There is a real difference in stick and skate selection. The radii of the skates you choose definitely affects how fast you can chase down pucks and overall agility as well. Shifty guys who can pull off the dekes should definitely pick the smallest radii skates, (9") as changes in direction can be sudden. The largest radii skates(13") are great for bombing the corner, if the player archetype has any kind of speed or acceleration at all. Real problem turning though, as guys who can sidestep you often will. Great for those end to end rushes. Not so much anything else.

When I'm in the slot, the first inclination is to shoot. Period. Like a bank robber, you go where the money is, you go to the front of the net. You can pick up garbage, or, if the guy on the wing passes it to you, there's a chance at getting a screened shot as well, which only human players can block or catch. Unless you get clubbed immediately by the two guys there, which even then, you should be able to get a shot off. Don't bother deking in the slot. Just shoot. Your release is critical as time to getting the puck to getting clocked is usually less than a second. There's also shooting the puck off of the heel or end of the stick as well, and that's controlled by the skill stick.