NHL 14 News Post

NHL 14 Video and Blog - Goal Scoring Balance Improvements

05:27 PM - July 15, 2013 by Money99

EA Sports has posted another NHL 14 video and blog. This one showcases the variety in goal-scoring and A.I. improvements in player positioning in the offensive zone.

Below are some of the ways goal scoring balance has been improved in NHL 14.

Shots from the Point

Shots can now be flush against the ice (in previous years, there was always at least some height to the shot)
Teammates Avoid - AI players will recognize shooting scenarios (they will move earlier to positions for deflections/rebounds and do a better job avoiding shots on way to the net).

Deflections

Shots that are flush to the ice can now be deflected up off the ice and over the goalie.
Players recognize their own position in front of the net and will take that angle into account when trying for a deflection. (For example: They may try to pop it up more when closer to the net)
Players will try and deflect the puck to a location on the net that gives them a higher chance to score rather than just a random angle:
- A shot to the top half of the net will be deflected downwards
- When cheating to one side, players will try to deflect the puck to the opposite side of the goalie.
Players will try to gather the puck after a deflection in front of the net if they are in a bad spot to attempt a shot.

One-Timers

Goalies are less likely to get over and cover a one-timer if a player sells the shot before making a pass.
If a goalie has to move, or if a shooter is far outside of their original vision path, the less effective a goalie will be at reading the shot trajectory or velocity of a one-timer.

Puck Possession Intelligence

In setup situations, offensive players will have more urgency going after rebounds and won�t consider the puck turned over as quickly (especially when using an aggressive offensive strategy).

Shots from the slot

When you�re taking shots from the slot, the goalie will be unable to cover the entire net.

Breakaways

Goalies are now much more aware of the player�s body, the puck�s position and the handedness of the attacking player. They can now favor a player�s forehand, understanding what a player is capable of based on their current momentum.
If a goalie is reading deke from an attacking player he will sit deeper in net and it will be easier to beat him with a shot. However, he is also less likely to bite as much on a first move.
A quick shot can catch a goalie off-guard,especially if they are thinking pass or deke).

Source - NHL 14: Goal Scoring Balance Improvements (EA Sports)

NHL 14 screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: NHL 14Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 6 - View All

NHL 14 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 don28 @ 07/15/13 05:33 PM

I saw it. I believe that we'll have to spend some time tweaking sliders in order for every game not to turn into a 10-8 scorefest. I'm not complaining, just stating that many of us can dominate the CPU AI at default settings. I'm looking forward to NHL 14. I like the intended goal score improvements; sometimes these things just don't work out the same for the hardcore players. But I think it will actually be good for the casual players.

# 2 Moose24x @ 07/15/13 05:38 PM

Some of that looked really good. They say a lot of the same crap every year and I always have trouble with the same things, like my own players blocking my shots or being able to beat the goalie five hole, but a couple of moments stood out in that video like Evander Kane (?) jumping over a shot from the point to let it get on net, and the way Luongo directed his rebound off to the corner.

# 3 drog1602 @ 07/15/13 07:04 PM

As long as the goalies are stopping routine shots, goal variety is welcomed. The lack of variety though is more an online issue than offline, so I hope we can tune the goalies properly for offline.

I still see the goalies doing that popup animation after certain saves.

The one issue I have is that they talk about the offensive team being aware of shots, but nothing about the defence trying to clear the front of the net so the goalie can see the puck.

# 4 ComaFaction @ 07/15/13 07:22 PM

Loved the Bruins forward going to the post and deflecting the shot in, that was awesome. Agreed on Kane getting out of the way. These additions could be huge as long as our offensive teammates actually cycle and move toward open space, as opposed to standing still in front of the net.

# 5 CaptainSuperman @ 07/15/13 08:15 PM

Love that slap shots can stay on the ice, and that puck possession teams will not give up after a turnover.

Obviously I don't expect everything to be perfect, ever, but that first deflection goal at :30 looked bad. It looked like it was on the ice and deflected through the pads. Maybe it's just me though,

# 6 emericaridr11 @ 07/15/13 08:26 PM

does this mean we can do the some what Newly popular deke then pop in the 5hole....

not too much but looks awesome i say

# 7 Splitter77 @ 07/15/13 10:14 PM

love how you can deflect the puck up now.
that was in hitzpro and it was awesome for goal variety. you could also actually slow down slapshots with deflections in hitz pro which would create change up type goals. i hope those type of deflections are in as well

# 8 ven0m43 @ 07/15/13 10:16 PM

I just want the cpu shot count to increase. Im tired of having 20-30 more shots then the cpu with adjusted sliders.

# 9 Schmackity @ 07/16/13 09:02 AM

All I saw from this video or took away from it is 'Glitch goals are still in and we've even made it easier for you'

# 10 TDKing @ 07/16/13 11:40 AM

I saw nothing that makes me want to buy this game, in fact everything shown so far has had the opppsite effect. Balance ? Show me some defense please....

# 11 ComaFaction @ 07/16/13 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmackity


	All I saw from this video or took away from it is 'Glitch goals are still in and we've even made it easier for you'

Hmmm, I saw the opposite. I guess we see what we want to see.

# 12 peter21 @ 07/16/13 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDKing


	I saw nothing that makes me want to buy this game, in fact everything shown so far has had the opppsite effect. Balance ? Show me some defense please....

Defense isn't sexy and doesn't sell games. I'm guessing (hoping) we will see some of the defensive improvements closer to launch after all the more hype-able aspects of the game have been introduced.

# 13 SteelersFan09 @ 07/16/13 01:09 PM

Will EA ever address glitch goals and how they are too lazy to fix them?

# 14 shanev @ 07/16/13 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don28


	I saw it. I believe that we'll have to spend some time tweaking sliders in order for every game not to turn into a 10-8 scorefest. I'm not complaining, just stating that many of us can dominate the CPU AI at default settings. I'm looking forward to NHL 14. I like the intended goal score improvements; sometimes these things just don't work out the same for the hardcore players. But I think it will actually be good for the casual players.

agreed, I think it will take some playing with sliders; but I like what i've seen so far from EA; and this is the most excited i've been from the game in quite awhile.

# 15 milesizdead @ 07/19/13 05:55 AM

I've been answering gameplay questions over at EA's forums if you want some details about the game. I played about ten offline 1v1 games at EA's event in Stockholm and we were not allowed to capture video so the answers are all based on my memories and impressions.

http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/9626726.page

TL;DR, the game felt great. Improved skating, more variety in goals scored and the collision system worked really well.

# 16 JezFranco @ 07/19/13 10:23 AM

It would be an improvement if the CPU's loose back hand "shots" from the blue line didn't equal a "big fat juicy rebound" every time. So well, this is looking good. I Guess.

# 17 Qb @ 07/19/13 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milesizdead


	TL;DR, the game felt great. Improved skating, more variety in goals scored and the collision system worked really well.

My hands-on source also mentioned more "good hockey goals" as the result of more natural screens/deflections/traffic. He specifically cited goalies having a hard time going laterally/post-to-post to stop one-timers when their vision is obstructed, (as in a typical umbrella PP setup). He said the goalie will often just flail at the puck and it looks & feels very satisfying when you hammer one past him like this:

EDIT: Forgot to mention that goalies are playing the angle more in shooting situations, also making it more difficult for them to get over on a play like this.

# 18 gator3guy @ 07/20/13 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	My hands-on source also mentioned more "good hockey goals" as the result of more natural screens/deflections/traffic. He specifically cited goalies having a hard time going laterally/post-to-post to stop one-timers when their vision is obstructed, (as in a typical umbrella PP setup). He said the goalie will often just flail at the puck and it looks & feels very satisfying when you hammer one past him like this: EDIT: Forgot to mention that goalies are playing the angle more in shooting situations, also making it more difficult for them to get over on a play like this.

Man I've been dying to run a true umbrella PP, but between the awful AI, positioning, spacing, and super poke checks it just hasn't been an effective strategy in 13. Hopefully these improvements will help in that regard, because most teams run some variation of the umbrella these days and I would like to as well.

I've been saying for some time now that 13 felt like a beta. A lot of potential but it felt far from a finished product. I'm not expecting huge things for 14, as I'm sure the focus has turned to developing the next gen version of the game, but as long as they ironed out the skating, tweaked the physics, and improved the AI (which looks promising in the video) I will be happy with 14. I still play 13, but it has it's moments that make me want to throw my controller through the TV.

More Links

NHL 14 Video and Blog - Goal Scoring Balance Improvements