The 2008-2009 NHL Video Games Thread

[Matt Young 0]

Since there was no thread about hockey games, I figured it was about time we had one. I chose to make it about both the 08/2K8 an 09/2K9 games so that we could discuss out experiences with the current games, and also because there is no info on the new ones yet- but we can post it here as it comes in.

 

Now, I never even liked the sport of hockey until recently. But I purchased NHL 08. after having great difficulty finding a copy, this past Monday. It is rapidly becoming my favorite sports game ever. I have already played a good 10 online games, along with a half dozen exhibition games. The most addicting part, however, is the Dynasty mode.

 

I began a dynasty with the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, May 28th, at 5:35 A.M. (Yes, I am keeping track). As of right now, I have played 20 Kings games as well as 2 with my AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. That's all while playing other games and doing non-gaming related stuff as well. Consider the fact that, in other sports games, sports of which I have been a fan for many years, I shorten the seasons and still never finish them.

 

I've had bad luck with injuries to Cammalleri, Frolov, and Handzus, but Cammalleri was the only one who missed significant time. Ironically, despite him being one of my best players, all 5 of my regulation losses have come with him in the lineup. I'm 14-5-0-1, after starting 2-2 and then going on a 3 game losing streak before winning my last 2 games. My toughest opponent has been mediocre Dallas. They're 8-11-0-1, with 3 of their wins coming against me. I just now beat them for the first time. They always seem to sneak in a last minute bullshit goal with Modano or Levinhen to beat me.

 

Who else plays these games? I know we have hockey fans here. The games have been out for 8-9 months, but NHL 8 at elast is so good that some of you must play it. I have tried 2K8, and while it's decent, it's nowhere near as good as NHL. I may pick it up since the price has dropped to $30, as opposed to NHL 08's $50.

[LivingLegendGaryColeman 0]

I picked up 2K8 around Christmas because I wanted NBA 2K8 and Best Buy had a deal that you got NHL for free if you bought NBA. So, shortly after release I got both for $30 a piece. My NHL is still in the shrinkwrap, but I hopefully should be changing that soon.

[Red Baron 0]

I have dabbled into NHL 08, but will probably get 09 in a few months. I find that year in and year out, Hockey is the best sports game there is. Though every year they expand and tweak certain things to make the Dynasty better, they miss out on some of the gameplay and if you ask other people I've played against, one thing I miss most is being able to change on the fly with the manual line changes. NHL 2K5 was excellent for that and probably the best hockey game I have ever played.

 

Does the 2K series still have crease control? 2K6 had it and I loved that feature.

[10 Pounds 0]

I started a franchise in NHL 2K5 back three years ago and decided to (finally) finish the regular season when I was caught in playoffs fever. However, since the Xbox version of 2K5 always freeze either during the match or between games when you're simulating all the other teams games, I was blocked after Game 3 of my series vs the Devils. I've put the game back on the shelf again since it always seems to freeze at an exact spot and I don't want to go back replay the end of my season.

 

If the game turns out to be good, I might buy NHL 09 along with either a 360 or a PS3 but I'm not 100% sure about it. Do the new hockey games have the same problems as other games always had like 200 SOG and 10 goals per game, the goalies block pretty much everthing but miss way too easy shots (or put the puck in their own net) and the CPU cheats like a bastard when you're leading by 3 or more goals ?

[fazzle 0]

I'm in my playoffs in NHL 08. Playing as the Sabres, but about midway through the season, Ryan Miller demanded a trade. No, really. So, in my panic, I jokingly offer a trade to the Devils, Miller for Brodeur, and to my shock they actually ACCEPT it. I go on to win the President's Trophy with 122 points.

 

So who do I meet in the first round? The Devils, of course.

 

Game 1 was a freakin CLASSIC. Afinogenov scores with just under 2 minutes to go to tie the game up and send it into OT, where Connolly then scores the GW with 9:15 left in the second overtime. Miller made 58 saves to try and keep the Devils in it, but their offense wasn't clicking at all.

 

Game 2 also goes into OT, but I pull it out 2-1, but once again Miller plays like a fucking madman to try and keep me off the scoreboards. If the Devils had any offense, I'd be so fucked in this series.

 

 

Edit: just played Game 3, and that was the definition of a "You've got to be FUCKING kidding me" game. Devils finally find some offense, and are up 3-0 at the 7:14 mark of the second period. I start thinking game over already, but Miller finally collapses! Sabres are up 4-3 by the end of the period, 5-3 late in the third, and the Devils get a PP on a bullshit tripping call. But PK Specialist Adam Mair(lead the league in SH goals. Had more SH than even strength goals) comes through with another shorthanded goal to put the Sabres up 6-3!

 

But then I fail to kill the rest of the penalty. 6-4. 6-5. 6-6 with SIXTEEN FUCKING SECONDS LEFT. After 8 total goals scored in the last approximately 8 periods, we score TWELVE in regulation in this game. Thankfully I pull it out after Afinogenov scores the game winner on a breakaway in the first OT.

 

Three games, three OTs, after I was winning games by an average of 3-4 goals per game to end the season.

[Matt Young 0]

What difficulty are you playing on? It wouldn't be fun to me if I was winning by 3-4 goals a game. Your playoffs sound great, though.

 

I'm 30 games into my season. I have a 1 point lead for best record in the west (over Colorado and Columbus who are tied) with 42 points and a record of 20-8-0-2. Ottawa has the best record in the league. I have my occasional big games, but most are won/lost by 1 or 2 goals.

 

You should add me, fazzle.

[the max 0]

Had NHL 08 since it came out.

 

In year 5 of dynasty on whatever the hardest thing is (Hall of fame? Something like that).

 

Boston Bruins are about 90% draft picks, Providence consists entirely of draft picks and assorted undrafted nobodies. Currently at I think 14-2-1 with Boston, undefeated in Providence.

 

Year 1: Snuck into the playoffs as the #7. Proceeded to beat #2 Pittsburgh, #1 Montreal and #4 Ottawa en route to the finals. Took #1 (President's winner) Detroit to 7 before Tim Thomas laid a fucking egg in game 7, letting in four on the first six shots of the game. I almost tied it late but Chara hit the post. Down in Providence, undefeated run to the Calder Cup.

 

Year 2: Make a big splash trade before the draft, sending Kalus/1st/2nd to Columbus for Nikolai Zherdev to prop up the offense (finished 27th in the league in goals for) with Bergeron. Another big splash sends Axelsson/Alberts/3rd to San Jose for Steve Bernier. Top six was Zherdev-Bergeron-Bernier//Kessel-Savard-Sturm. Finished #4 in the conference, knocked out the #5 Rags, #1 Pittsburgh and #3 Ottawa to face the #7 Flames in the finals. Lost to them in six, Thomas again cracking in the final game. Providence wins Calder Cup, Bergeron wins Hart trophy, finishing with 160+ points.

 

Year 3: Thomas is traded to someone for something. Signed Bryzgalov to do my goalieing. Finished #2 in the conference, Bergeron cracked 200 points, Zherdev broke Gretzky's single season goals record and finished with 98. Swept #7 Montreal, Swept #5 Philly, Had an epic 7 game series with #1 Pittsburgh. All seven games went into OT, Bergeron scored the winning goal on a shorthanded breakaway. Took on the Ducks in the finals. Won in six. Providence wins again. Bergeron for Hart and Pearson.

 

Year 4: Midway through, Edmonton offers me a defenseman prospect and their 1st and 3rd picks for Bryzgalov and my 1st. I accept and move up my goalie from Providence (had a ridiculous, like, 1.15/.970 line in Providence), saving huge money. Also with Edmonton's pick I ended up picking at #2 and got a great scoring winger. Swept the playoffs, winning another Cup. Providence does the same.

 

Year 5: Lost Bernier and Kessel to free agency, both have been ostensibly replaced by younger, cheaper players. Highest paid player is still Chara at 7.495 million, he's about to be traded by me to someone for picks. I need his salary cleared to lock up Zherdev and Bergeron.

[Matt Young 0]

How many of these games are you playing, max? I'll be playing all my Kings games, but to play all the NHL and AHL games would be insane.

[the max 0]

Every Boston Bruins game and probably 70 of Providence's games every season. I only play 5 minute periods though.

[Matt Young 0]

I only play 5 minute periods on Pro. I can squeeze 3 games into 1 hour of real time, but shit... That's a lot a games right there. I'm guessing you have had the game since September, but that's still impressive. I've played 32 dynasty games since I started mine 8 days ago, but only 2 Monarchs games. I kind of want to play more, but I'm afraid that if I fuck around too much with the AHL games, I'll never finish an NHL season.

[the max 0]

I can usually fit around 3 games in an hour as well, no replays or time wasting shit like that. But I will play a lot on nights when the girlfriend is at work from 5-10 when she gets home. She goes to bed around 11 and I'm up until around 3 or so playing some more.

[JJ Johnson 0]

I just started a Dynasty with the Leafs, so I'll use this thread to chronicle my inevitable failure. I did send Pavel Kubina and a 2nd to Colorado for Scott Hannan and Jean-Michael Liles, though.

[Matt Young 0]

Dude, I'm using the Kings. They're even worse! But that's what this thread is for. I may not be able to say much in regards to anyone's posts since my hockey knowledge is extremely limited, but I will read every post. I'd love to keep reading about people's dynasties.

[JJ Johnson 0]

I played 8 games as the Kings. You just have to stay one step ahead of Jason LaBarbera. Or are you starting Cloutier? There's not really a lesser of those two evils.

[Matt Young 0]

Jason LaBarbera has been a brick wall. I sent Cloutier to the AHL in hopes that some team would claim him off waivers, but no dice. I'm stuck with his $3 million plus contract for 3 more seasons. LaBarbera doesn't even make 7 figures and he's better. I had called up Jonathan Bernier when I demoted Cloutier, but I sent him back since the Monarchs needed a good goaltender.

 

Other than that, no roster moves for me.

[JJ Johnson 0]

Lost 3-2 to Ottawa to open the season. Amusingly, Scott Hannan, with his one goal, was both the second and third stars of the game.

[the max 0]

Just played 3 Bruins games and 4 WannaB's games.

 

I like that the defense improves based on your strategy in this game. When I first put Zherdev and Bergeron together, they would routinely each go for 3+ points each per game. Attack the middle of the ice, draw the D towards one of them as the other would creep towards the net, trade off and look for the quick one-timer or the goalie to flop and then flip in an easy goal. Now, I find that they're letting my defensemen be open at the points because with as much traffic in front of the net, there is no way for me to get the puck through it. They're both essentially being double-teamed and Krejci is single-teamed on the right wing. It's a great challenge to try to figure out a way past it rather than the usual EA defense of "sit back and get blown past."

 

A player I drafted in my fourth year is currently playing in Providence. He has 49 goals in just 20 games. 6'7", skates like the wind, hits like a truck, I need to find a way to bring him up.

[JJ Johnson 0]

I'm trying to make two wrongs a right and trade Toskala and Raycroft for somebody. I've never had very much success with multi-man trades, though, and usually have to ship off prospects when I try to get a little more bang for my worthless Brian McCabe buck. Is there a simple solution I'm missing?

[the max 0]

Don't make multi-player trades. Trade each guy as an individual asset. Especially goalies. Goalie trades can be hard to make.

[fazzle 0]

What difficulty are you playing on? It wouldn't be fun to me if I was winning by 3-4 goals a game. Your playoffs sound great, though.

 

I'm 30 games into my season. I have a 1 point lead for best record in the west (over Colorado and Columbus who are tied) with 42 points and a record of 20-8-0-2. Ottawa has the best record in the league. I have my occasional big games, but most are won/lost by 1 or 2 goals.

 

You should add me, fazzle.

 

I'm playing on Pro difficulty now. I'm gonna increase it next season. I only started winning big for the last month or so of the season. I was behind the Pens for the #1 seed for most of the year, but then just caught fire late.

 

I didn't have any one big breakout star on my team. Despite finishing #2 in GF(behind the Pens) my highest scorer was Afinogenov with 76 freakin points. It was a complete team effort. My moves this year: traded Miller for Brodeur (as was mentioned above) when Miller demanded a trade, traded Paille for LaPerriere, and Boston OFFERED me a trade of Axelsson for....Stafford, I think, so I was all over that. I also signed Roenick as a free agent, and he helped me out big time in the early part of the season, when nobody could fucking score. (I had 5 goals in the first 7 games)

 

 

My lines right now are:

 

Hecht - Connolly - Afinogenov

Vanek - Roenick - Pominville

Axelsson - Roy - LaPerriere

Gaustad - Mair - Kotalik

 

 

Depth. I got it.

[Matt Young 0]

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/nhl...slot&page=1

 

NHL 09 news. Nothing exciting except the addition of 6 on 6 online team play.

[the max 0]

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/nhl...slot&page=1

 

NHL 09 news. Nothing exciting except the addition of 6 on 6 online team play.

 

You must have missed this...

 

First off, the biggest feature in NHL 09 seems to be the brand-new Be a Pro mode. Inspired by the feature of the same name from last year's FIFA 08, this mode will let you strap on the stakes as an up-and-coming hockey player. After creating your player from scratch, you'll sign up with an AHL team (EA naturally has the full AHL license) and begin to find your way through your career as a hot minor-league prospect.

 

As with the Be a Pro mode in FIFA, when you're on the ice in NHL 09's Be a Pro mode, you'll be focused on your player alone, thanks to a third-person camera that will be focused tight (but not too tight) on your created player. According to producers, this close-up camera angle will give you more opportunities for shooting in a variety of different angles on the goalie, from up high to five hole, because the targets will be that much bigger on the screen.

 

One of the most intriguing aspects of Be a Pro mode in NHL 09 is the different types of roles you'll be able to serve when creating your player. Not only will you be able to play as a goalie, but you'll also be able to choose different types of roles as a regular skater, from a grinding, checking defenseman to a speedy, shot-taking sniper. As a result, when you're on the ice with your team, your coach will have different expectations of you depending on your role. It's these individual expectations that will form the basis for how your performance is judged in the game and how your player progresses as a result.

 

You'll be judged in three main categories: position, team play, and statistics. Given that your position on the ice is so crucial to the success of you as a player and your team as a whole, you'll always be judged by how closely you fit into your proper position based on your role. If you're not sure where you need to be during a certain point, a handy arrow will appear overheard to point in the direction you need to go if you're out of place. How often that arrow appears will be a measure of how often you're in the right (or wrong) spot on the ice, and you'll be judged accordingly.

 

The second aspect of your performance is team play. This takes into consideration a huge number of factors: everything from the number of shots you take to the number of times you call for the puck through a pass. Sometimes calling for the pass is a good thing; sometimes taking a shot is a good thing, even if it doesn't go in the net. That said, if you start calling for a shot every time you touch the puck, or call to go back on the ice during a line change (yes, you will sit on the bench when your line is between shifts), your team and coaches are going to notice and might even dock your performance in the process. After all, there are shots and then there are good shots, just like there are passes and good passes. The CPU will know the difference and, after a while, so will you.

 

These team-play expectations will change depending on your player's role. For example, if you're playing a checking defender, then you won't be expected to take a lot of shots; you'll be expected to lay guys out on the ice each and every game. Naturally, the final aspect of your performance will be statistics, and you'll be expected to put up numbers both in the minors and once you make it to the NHL. If you fail to perform, you can expect a long road to the Big Show; if you're already an NHL regular, you might be traded if your output isn't up to your potential.

 

As you progress in the game, you'll be able to purchase attribute points, which you can assign to your player to improve his performance. In addition, at a point further down the line in this mode, you'll earn the chance to get your own hockey card, which will detail your accomplishments through the minors, into the NHL, and on to the ultimate goal of becoming an NHL legend. One cool feature included here is the ability to take screenshots of your own in the game and then use those images for your hockey card.

 

which might be the greatest thing I've ever heard.

[Matt Young 0]

I don't know. The Superstar mode in Madden wasn't very well executed, so I'm not sure about this one, either.

[JJ Johnson 0]

I started a Vancouver franchise, figuring that what they lacked in offensive depth would be made up for by Roberto Luongo.

 

 

In 4 games, Luongo has given up 16 goals. I want to trade him, but it's hard to trade goalies in this game because the ratings are never really accurate. Kiprusoff is practically a cardboard cutout, while Josh Harding is an absolute monster. Recommendations?

[the max 0]

I started a Vancouver franchise, figuring that what they lacked in offensive depth would be made up for by Roberto Luongo.

 

 

In 4 games, Luongo has given up 16 goals. I want to trade him, but it's hard to trade goalies in this game because the ratings are never really accurate. Kiprusoff is practically a cardboard cutout, while Josh Harding is an absolute monster. Recommendations?

 

Stick with Luongo and invest in a mobile defense.

 

For instance, yooouuuurrr Boston Bruins starting six:

 

Zdeno Chara-Braydon Coburn

Shawn Belle-Jonathan Sigalet

Trevor Daley-Luc Bourdon

 

All six are guys who move well, hit well and block a ton of shots. I play the "Protect Net" style of defense where the defense collapses to the front of the net, routinely blocks shots and hits everyone who comes in the zone by himself.

[fazzle 0]

The main part of that superstar mode in NHL 09 that I'm wary about is the arrow to point you where to go. That just seems so....restricting

[JJ Johnson 0]

Went back to my old NHL game standby, Boston. Traded for speed on defense, bulked up on offense (Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Zherdev), changed my strategy to Protect The Net, went shot for shot with Dallas (34), was on the attack for almost ten minutes, checked the shit out of people, and lost 9-3. This is either Tim Thomas' fault or mine, and I'm 90% sure it's me. It doesn't help I can't score to save my life. For the sake of at the very least liking my lines, my lines:

 

Holmstrom-Bergeron (A)-Zherdev

Bertuzzi-Savard-Kessel

Lucic-Franzen-Axelsson

Nokelainen-Krejci-Kobasew

 

Chara ©-Pitkanen

Johnson (A)-Ference

Lashoff-Wideman

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I started a Vancouver franchise, figuring that what they lacked in offensive depth would be made up for by Roberto Luongo.

 

 

In 4 games, Luongo has given up 16 goals. I want to trade him, but it's hard to trade goalies in this game because the ratings are never really accurate. Kiprusoff is practically a cardboard cutout, while Josh Harding is an absolute monster. Recommendations?

 

Stick with Luongo and invest in a mobile defense.

 

For instance, yooouuuurrr Boston Bruins starting six:

 

Zdeno Chara-Braydon Coburn

Shawn Belle-Jonathan Sigalet

Trevor Daley-Luc Bourdon

 

All six are guys who move well, hit well and block a ton of shots. I play the "Protect Net" style of defense where the defense collapses to the front of the net, routinely blocks shots and hits everyone who comes in the zone by himself.

 

You're ok with having a dead guy on your defense?

[the max 0]

I lost a bit too at first.

 

The biggest thing I can think of is how you're controlling the defense. Until I got comfortable with moving the guys around in front of the net I just let the AI control them and patrolled the blueline and slot with one of the forwards and blocked passes or forced shots.

[the max 0]

I started a Vancouver franchise, figuring that what they lacked in offensive depth would be made up for by Roberto Luongo.

 

 

In 4 games, Luongo has given up 16 goals. I want to trade him, but it's hard to trade goalies in this game because the ratings are never really accurate. Kiprusoff is practically a cardboard cutout, while Josh Harding is an absolute monster. Recommendations?

 

Stick with Luongo and invest in a mobile defense.

 

For instance, yooouuuurrr Boston Bruins starting six:

 

Zdeno Chara-Braydon Coburn

Shawn Belle-Jonathan Sigalet

Trevor Daley-Luc Bourdon

 

All six are guys who move well, hit well and block a ton of shots. I play the "Protect Net" style of defense where the defense collapses to the front of the net, routinely blocks shots and hits everyone who comes in the zone by himself.

 

You're ok with having a dead guy on your defense?

 

What's wrong with that? Am I supposed to trade him or something? I paid dearly to get him.