NHL 21 Controls – The Ultimate Guide

If you’re looking for a Comprehensive Guide to the NHL 21 controls, look no further! We’ll cover everything you need to know about the game’s control scheme, from basic movements to more advanced techniques.

Basic Controls

NHL 21 is the latest installment in the long-running NHL series from EA Sports. As with every new release, there are some new controls to learn. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting out, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate guide to NHL 21 controls.

On offense, the left stick controls your skater while the right stick controls your puck handler. The buttons on the controller correspond to different offensive moves. The ‘A’ button passes, ‘X’ shoots, ‘Y’ dekes, and ‘B’ does a quick stop. The left and right trigger buttons control your left and right hand respectively for stick handling. If you want to do a spin-o-rama move, you can double tap the ‘Y’ button.

On defense, the left stick again controls your skater while the right stick is used for poke checking. The ‘A’ button passes to your teammates, ‘X’ switches players, ‘Y’ blocks shots, and ‘B’ clears the puck out of the defensive zone. The left bumper triggers a big hit while the right bumper activated precision skating.

The d-pad on both Offense and defense is used for strategic playcalling. You can call for a one-timer pass or change your formation on defense.

That covers the Basic Controls for NHL 21. With this knowledge in hand, you should be able to hit the ice and start playing like a pro!

Advanced Controls

NHL 21 is jam-packed with new features and controls to master. Here we will give you a rundown of all the advanced controls available in the game.

One-Touch Dekes:

One of the most exciting additions to NHL 21 is the new one-touch dekes. One-touch dekes allow you to perform a quick deke by pressing a single button. These can be performed by pressing R1/RB + L1/LB + Directional Button.

To do a one-touch deke, you must first hold down R1/RB + L1/LB + Directional Button. Then, quickly flick the right analog stick in the desired direction. For example, if you want to do a between the legs one-touch deke, you would hold down R1/RB + L1/LB + Down on the Directional Pad. Then, quickly flick the Right Analog Stick Up.

Puck Pickups:

Puck pickups have been slightly reworked in NHL 21. Instead of using R2/RT to pick up the puck, you now press and hold Circle/B. You can also now pick up the puck without stopping your momentum by double tapping Circle/B.

Saucer Passes:

Saucer passes are back and better than ever in NHL 21. Saucer passes are performed by holding down R2/RT and flicking the Right Analog Stick in the desired direction.

Shooting

There are several methods and techniques you can use to shoot the puck in NHL 21, so it can be confusing trying to figure out which one is the best for you. In this article, we’ll go over all the different shooting controls in NHL 21, as well as how to use them effectively.

One-Timers
One-timers are shots taken immediately after receiving a pass, without stopping or controlling the puck first. They’re often used in situations where there’s not enough time to take a proper shot, or when you want to surprise the goaltender with a quick release.

To take a one-timer in NHL 21, press and hold the Shoot button (RT/R2) as you receive the pass. The longer you hold down the button, the harder your shot will be. You can also add more power to your shot by pressing down on the Right Stick (LS) just before you shoot.

Slap Shots
slap shots are powerful shots that are taken by swinging your stick across your body like a baseball bat They’re often used when you have time and space to wind up for a big shot, or when you need to get the puck past traffic in front of the net.

To take a slap shot in NHL 21, hold down the Shoot button (RT/R2) and pull back on the Right Stick (LS) at the same time. The longer you hold down the button, the harder your shot will be. You can also add more power to your shot by pressing down on the Right Stick (LS) just before you shoot.

Skating

To move around the ice, use the left joystick on your controller. Pushing it up will skate forward, while pulling it back will skate backward. You can also use the left joystick to perform other skating maneuvers like stops, starts, and turns.

The right joystick controls your stick. For example, pushing it up will raise your stick, while pulling it down will lower your stick. You can also use the right joystick to perform other stick-related maneuvers like shooting, passing, and face-offs.

To change your player’s skating speed press down on the left or right bumper button. The faster you skate, the more difficult it is to make tight turns and maneuver around opponents.

You can also use the bumper buttons to perform other skating maneuvers like crossovers and spins.

Passing

There are two main ways to pass the puck in NHL 21 – manual and one-touch. Manual passing is more accurate, but takes longer to execute. One-touch passing is quicker, but can be harder to control.

To pass manually, hold down the ‘A’ button on your controller and use the left stick to aim. To pass one-touch, press the ‘A’ button once and then use the left stick to aim.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you time your passes well. If you pass too early or too late, your teammates may not be in position to receive the puck, and it will be easier for your opponents to intercept your passes.

Puck Control

Puck Control is perhaps the most important skill in NHL 21. After all, if you can’t control the puck, you can’t score goals There are many different ways to control the puck in NHL 21, and each player has their own unique style. Below we’ll go over some of the most popular methods.

One-handed puck control
One-handed puck control is a popular method among seasoned veterans and newcomers alike. This method involves using one hand to hold the stick and the other hand to support the bottom of the stick. To execute this move, simply place your bottom hand on the ice near the toe of the blade and use your top hand to hold the shaft of the stick near the top. This will give you good power and accuracy when shooting, as well as allow you to make quick turns and stops.

Two-handed puck control
Two-handed puck control is another popular method, and one that is often used by players who are more comfortable with their sticks. This method involves using both hands to hold the stick, with one hand at the top of the shaft and one hand near the bottom. This provides good power and accuracy when shooting, as well as allows you to make quick stops and turns. Many players find that two-handed puck control gives them more power and accuracy than one-handed puck control.

Body Checking

NHL 21 controls for Xbox One and PS4 are essentially the same, with a few very minor exceptions. Here are all the controls you need to know for hitting, shooting, deking and everything else in NHL 21.

Body Checking
To body check an opponent, approach them from the side or behind and press X/A. You can also hold R2/RT and press X/A to perform a big hit If you time your hit perfectly, you’ll lay your opponent out with a bone-crunching tutorial.

Face-Offs

NHL 21 is out now and players are already getting to grips with the new game. If you’re one of them and struggling with the controls, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about Face-Offs in NHL 21.

To initiate a face-off in NHL 21, simply hold down the A/X button on your controller. This will put you into face-off mode and allow you to select your target. Once you’ve done that, press A/X again to confirm and take the face-off.

As with real-life face-offs, there are a few different ways to win them in NHL 21. The most common method is by using the right stick to push the puck into your opponent’s zone. This can be done by flicking the right stick up or down, depending on which way you want to send the puck.

Another way to win a face-off is by using the left stick to deke around your opponent. This is done by quickly flicking the left stick in any direction. If executed correctly, you should be able to skate around your opponent and gain control of the puck.

The last way to win a face-off is by using brute force. This can be done by pressing and holding down the A/X button on your controller. Doing this will make your player lunge forward and attempt to knock the puck away from your opponent.

Goalie

Wraparound
LT + X / RT + A
When coming out of the net to attempt a wraparound, hold LT (Left Trigger) on Xbox One or X on PlayStation 4, then press X on Xbox One or A on PlayStation 4.

poke check
A / X
Poke checking is performed by pressing A on Xbox One or X on PlayStation 4.

glove save
Y / Triangle
To make a glove save, press Y on Xbox One or Triangle on PlayStation 4.

blocker save
B / Circle
To make a blocker save, press B on Xbox One or Circle on PlayStation 4.

Be a Pro

NHL 21 Pro controls are available on offense and defense You will be able to make line changes call for a pass, make one-timers, switch players and more.

On Offense:
-A or X – Pass the puck
-B or O – Shoot
-Y or Triangle – One-Timer
-X + A – Give and Go Pass
-X + B – Dump In
-Left Trigger/L2 – Pick up/Drop puck
-Right Trigger/R2 – Call for a pass
On Defense:
-A or X – Body Check/Hit
-B or O (Block Shot)
-Y or Triangle (Switch Player)
-X + A (Poke Check)
-X + B (Take Away Puck)
Left Trigger/L2 (Sprint)
Right Trigger/R2 (Active Stick)