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NHL 2005: Defensive Strategy

By Shawn Drotar, Managing Editor, OperationSports.com

So you think you can score in NHL® 2005? Good for you—but so can a lot of people. As the saying goes, "defense wins championships." It may not be glamorous, but clutching, grabbing, poke checking, and generally roughing up the opposition is the surest way to victory in the NHL, and it's the same in NHL 2005.

The hockey gurus at Electronic Arts have made playing defense easier and more effective than ever before, thanks to contextual controls that allow many different and advanced defensive maneuvers to be triggered with a single button press.

That's a lot of red …

The X button will more than likely be your main weapon against the offense. When you're in good defensive position alongside a skater, the X button will poke check in an effort to knock the puck out the way on a pass, or dislodge it from the offensive player's control. The poke check's value lies in the fact that it doesn't cause the defenseman to lose his position. The simple stick maneuver allows your blueliner to stay where he needs to be while effectively disrupting the offense.

The X button has other functions as well. When you're chasing a player, the X button will cause your player to attempt a hook. Since this kind of play can result in a penalty, it's somewhat risky, but much less so than leaving a winger unhindered as he streaks down the ice. It's worth the gamble when you're about to give up a break in the wrong direction.

The X button's last use is also the most physical. When you're near your net, and face to face with a skater, the X button will call for the defenseman to tie up the offensive player by clutching and grabbing. It's very effective, but be aware that your defenseman will be taken completely out of the play and essentially immobilized for a bit. This "tie-up" command can change depending on position—if you press the button near the boards, your defenseman will attempt to pin the opponent against the glass. This will also take both players out of the play, but it's often worth the trade-off—especially if you can pin the other team's best forward.

Clear that puck out as soon as you can.

The B button is used for last-ditch defense, and it changes depending on position as well. If you're far out of position, you can try to break up a pass by tapping the B button. Your player will immediately dive face-first, reaching out with his stick in an effort to break the pass. If your player is in front of the net, press the B button and your player will tuck his arms to his sides and immediately drop to the ice, taking away the low shot. Using the B button can be extremely effective, but it's difficult to time, and will completely remove your player from the flow of the game until he can get back on his feet. It should be used judiciously, but it's important to use it—it can make the difference between an easy goal and a turnover, potentially saving you from a loss.

The last and most obvious way to slow down your opponent is to hit them, as hard as you can. The Y button will call for your defenseman to check the nearest player. Alternately, you can use the right thumbstick and EA's "Bruise Control" for even more precise checking. Tapping the right thumbstick in the direction of your choice will call for a vicious check in that direction. If you click the right thumbstick a moment beforehand and hold it, your player will "load up" for the hardest hit he can muster.

Now, checking is the most effective way to stop the offense, but it's sometimes not the best way. Novice players often get infatuated with the check, and when they miss, they've left an offensive player unmarked with a clear shot at the net. Don't overuse the check. Not every player is particularly effective at it, and you run a risk of having multiple players out of position if you get too aggressive.
That leads to easy goals, and lots of losses.

Overdoing defense can draw a penalty.

Practice all the defensive techniques, and mix them up to keep your opponents guessing. You'll be on your way to having a dominating "D" in no time!

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