<p>Another year, another opportunity for gamers around the globe to bash the <em>EA Sports NHL</em> franchise…or is it?</p>



<p>For what seems like forever, fans have clamored for a game with consistency and realism, attributes that can be tough to obtain even with today’s technology, especially when creating a game that features action as fast and fluid as hockey.</p>



<p>From the quality of gameplay, to specific game modes, cut scenes, and the ever-popular Hockey Ultimate Team, the game just feels… better. In just a few days of playing the latest edition of the longest-running hockey video game franchise, I’ve noticed substantial improvements from both <em>NHL 24</em> and <em>25.</em></p>



<p>Here’s my review of <em>NHL 26:</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What I love</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Be a NEW Pro</strong></h2>



<p>For close to a decade, I held the belief that the “Live The Life” mode that came out in <em>NHL 14</em> was the best version of the Be a Pro franchise. After years of the same unengaging cut scenes and interactions, substantial upgrades in <em>NHL 26</em> certainly give it a run for its money. </p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="168"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-234909" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-1024x576.png 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-300x169.png 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-768x432.png 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-1536x864.png 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-150x84.png 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-600x338.png 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-696x392.png 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-1392x783.png 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nhl26-bap-draft-1068x601.png 1068w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a></figure>



<p><br>First, you get to start by playing in the semifinals of the IIHF World Junior Championship, a chance to make yourself a top prospect heading into the NHL Draft. If you’re a junior hockey fanatic like yours truly, you can also play in the Memorial Cup. Then, you go through the grind of trying to make your NHL team out of camp.</p>



<p>As a former player, the new cutscenes before the game, away from the rink, when you win the Stanley Cup, and more, bring a sense of realism that I honestly miss. The impatience you feel waiting in the hallway before stepping onto the ice, the intensity of the lights hitting you when you’re at the podium during new media scrums – you get to honestly act like a pro.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="131"></div>



<p>To become a true NHL superstar, you must be strategic about how you continually improve your abilities on a day-to-day basis. On top of that, it’s not as easy to light the lamp. Even when playing on Pro difficulty, I found myself focusing on playing my position rather than trying to score a hat trick every game to maintain a high play grade across all fronts.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-234906" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-1024x576.png 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-300x169.png 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-768x432.png 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-1536x864.png 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-150x84.png 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-600x338.png 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-696x392.png 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-1392x783.png 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-1068x601.png 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL-26-Cup-Celebration-Locker-Room-1920x1080.png 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a></figure>



<p><br>Also, I got wrecked into the bench in my first shift in the NHL…so I had that going for me.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The artificial is intelligent</strong></h2>



<p>Speaking of difficulty, the enhanced ICE-Q 2.0 has led to the CPU learning how the game is progressing in terms of flow. Sure, there are still tendencies and patterns I picked up on when either rushing the puck up the ice or setting up defensive coverage. However, when you think you have the opposition figured out, the individual players, bolstered with their detailed attributes using official NHL EDGE technology, find ways to exploit any mistake you make.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="163"></div>



<p>I used to be able to throw long passes up to a streaking forward in the neutral zone. While that’s still something you can do, don’t expect to have the puck after a defender reads the play and takes it away from your player.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-234911" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-1024x576.png 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-300x169.png 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-768x432.png 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-1536x864.png 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-150x84.png 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-600x338.png 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-696x392.png 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-1392x783.png 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM-1068x601.png 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHL26_IceQ_Matthews_1920x1080_WM.png 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a></figure>



<p>All in all, the new enhancement to player abilities, particularly the intricate details <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/new-loadouts-updated-x-factors-changes-ea-sports-nhl-26-world-of-chel-mode">on the expanded X-Factors</a>, makes every player (at least on NHL teams) unique. Whether it be the wicked release on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> captain Auston Matthews’ wrist shot, the overpowering speed of <a href="https://oilersnation.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/edmonton-oilers-connor-mcdavid-earns-top-player-rating-ea-sports-nhl-26">star Connor McDavid</a>, or the physical, yet effective, style of <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/florida-panthers/line-combinations">Florida Panthers</a> forward Matthew Tkachuk, each individual ability is even more noticeable from a gaming standpoint than we have seen in recent years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Goaltenders play like goaltenders</strong></h2>



<p>I was a goaltender, so I am the biggest critic when it comes to how the goaltenders have looked and moved in the series since <em>NHL 2003</em>. I have been supportive of the strides EA Sports has taken in making goaltenders act in every game situation. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="171"></div>



<p>This year, 81<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/x-factor-goaltending-changes-updates-ea-sports-nhl-26"> new goaltending animations</a> were implemented for point-blank saves and poke checks. Those were noticeable in just about every game mode I played. No save on a deflected point shot felt the same, nor did the masked figure’s reaction to every failed attempt at the backdoor pass. </p>



<p>These reactions do tend to open the door for greasy goals. Goalies falling out of position, leading to an easy tap-in. I like the amount of honest action between the pipes. To the average gamer, it might seem like these are glitch goals, especially if a goalie gets beaten by a bad-angle shot through the five-hole. However, when you watch a real game, you see those same soft goals go in.</p>



<p>As for those of us who enjoy playing goalie in the virtual world, there was no change in terms of the controls. However, even when taking control of the nomads of the knotted nets, you feel more in control of the position than ever before. Yes, human error can lead to making the wrong move, but the new reactions the goaltender makes in certain save situations make it easier to play the position.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="194"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PWHL right off the bat</strong></h2>



<p>I was <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">excited to see the Professional Women’s Hockey League being introduced in&nbsp;<em>NHL 25</em>. But I was annoyed that it took until December for the best women’s pro league to be added to</span> the game. This time, the updated rosters, as well as the expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver, are already in the new game, allowing women’s hockey fans the opportunity to start a new season playing as their favorite PWHL stars before their season even begins.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What I don’t like</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Minor glitchy hits</strong></h2>



<p>Honestly, this one’s nitpicky, but when using the one-button checking system, there still seem to be occasions where a bigger guy will just annihilate a smaller player, even if the two are standing relatively still. When throwing a hip-check, you might still tend to see a player go flipping over a defender, even if the offensive player is skating relatively slowly. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="140"></div>



<p>Once again, not a consistent problem, but it’s something that slightly takes away from the realistic gameplay the developers were pursuing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stuck playing pond hockey</strong></h2>



<p>This might be yelling at a cloud, but it’s been something I haven’t been a fan of for the past couple of years, just because it’s become cumbersome. I miss the old days of EA Sports Hockey League, when you hop into an open lobby, you play at a normal arena. Even in this year’s game, unless you jump into a World of Chel lobby with a club team, you get stuck playing an outdoor game with guys wearing their outrageous drip.</p>



<p>It was cute when WoC was first introduced, but I think the concept has outstayed its welcome.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final thoughts</h2>



<p>Is it <em>NHL 14?</em> No. Is it <em>NHL 2004?</em> <em>NHL 94?</em> Absolutely not. However, the strides developers made in <em>NHL 26</em> compared to the last few years to clean up the gameplay and truly give users the feel of real-world action are solid. I really enjoyed playing the game across the various game modes. I didn’t find myself fighting the controls or the glitches when playing a game. It felt like the real thing. The use of ICE-Q 2.0 with the NHL EDGE gives fans a sense of how players are doing, just like what they see in real-world NHL, adding another dimension not seen in the game’s past.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="6" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="229"></div>



<p>I found myself thinking systematically when trying to hold a one-goal lead, rather than just skating around with the puck to kill time. The intensity of a long shift with no stoppages felt exhausting, and I was the one sitting on the couch.</p>



<p>It might not be the greatest hockey video game ever made, but it just might be one of the smartest.</p>



<p><em><strong>Rating: 84/100</strong></em></p>



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