..... and shows good discipline.
I have to believe this is true because the coaching adjustment screens between periods tell me this

... or maybe I'm just being a little naive ?
anyway , I've been giving this game some serious time from mid-week to now and just when I think I've got it ... then it happens , I'm sure you know what I mean.
no amount of 'plays great defense' or fiddling about with sliders to even things up (or slightly advantage myself) can seemingly overcome the CPU AI 3rd period comeback scoring juggernaut.
I've logged what's taken place in the last 6 games I've played - here's some examples :
I'm playing as NJD vs WSH - it's a tight game but after 2 periods I'm leading 2-0 - TOA and shots on goal slight favour WSH but I've played with great discipline and defense (the coach screen told me so) ... enter period 3 and it's like a different NJD have hit the ice - passes now miss more , suddenly my great defense isn't so , suddenly my GK doesn't see shots like he should - 10 mins into period 3 I'm now losing the game 2-3 ... the usual stuff - a piss weak shovel backhand shot from an acute angle for goal #1 - a streaking winger who has come flying off the bench picks up a pass and toe drags & dekes his way thro the slot (evading everything) at speed for goal #2 - a hopefull point shot that falls kindly on rebound to the guy stood next to the crease for goal #3.
Unfazed I keep my sense of discipline on offense and look to carve out some quality chances that saw me take the 2-0 lead in the first instance .. but it's now in vain it seems - the guy who is stood in the low slot with all the goal to aim at (as the GK is flat on his arse after making a miracle save) rings his shot off the crossbar
I lose the game 2-3 ... maybe it's a one off and I'll put it down to bad luck 'eh ?
Next example - I'm COL vs EDM ... this should be a walk in the park I think - after all , EDM aren't any great shakes are they ?
Usual stuff - after 2 periods I'm more than comfortable - 3-0 lead and should have been more really (bar some miracle saves from the CPU GK) ... enter period 3 and what do you know some out of body force has assumed control of my game pad again - suddenly it seems like it sticks or doesn't react when I need to take control of a player - EDM decide they're not such a crap team after all and take me to the cleaners for 4 goals ! ... usual stuff again - I see that miracle toe drag & deke on a dime once more , you'd think after seeing it so often you'd be able to stop it - can you balls ! ... your D man just can't react at the same speed or turn as tight as the CPU AI ... result = goal.
seems like my bad luck continues 'eh ?
want another example ? - try this ....
I'm playing as OTT vs TOR ... local rivals - this should be good !
close game , very balanced , I squeak a goal in at the end of period 2 , my discipline has been great , my passing has been delicious , I'm feeling optimistic to send it to them in period 3.
TOR find what appears to be 5 extra gears in period 3 (not just the 1) - I can't get near them and as a result they jump to an instant 2-1 lead - as ever the goals are soft and should be defendable but for some reason my sound defense that's always been to the fore in the games I play for 2 periods yet again goes AWOL in period 3 - strange that ??!!!
I do manage to tie things up at 2-2 and the game looks set for OT ... but no , with 10 secs left the TOR centre pops an optimistic shot from the blue line that bounces around my GK's shoulders before it rolls down his back and over the line
**** happens I guess ?
whilst I'm on a roll let's see what happens next ....
I decide MTL look a decent prospect vs DAL ... sure enough I'm out the blocks fast here , 3-0 after period 1 becomes 4-1 at the start of period 3 ... I'm in control , or thought I was ... long story cut short , 4-1 becomes 4-4 and then DAL who are full of momentum score on their 2nd shot in OT ... you'd never seen that coming !
it's enough to turn you to ....
.... and the way my defense (by some odd miracle) deserts me in games during period 3 you'd believe they've all been on the piss the night before.
1-2-3 ... and relax
I'd like to add more but right now I'm off to go and play some 'great defense'