Don't be a hero
Not all games will be a goal or a highlight game. Most high risk games like dice, stretch passes, moving out of position or forcing a deflection are considered high risk because, well, they are risky! They pay huge dividends when it counts if they're executed by the right hands, but even then they don't always succeed.
Keep in mind that sometimes a short, well-timed pass or throw the puck into the net even though it probably won't go in will result in a brilliant play, depending on your opponents and linemates. This is especially true if you are playing online, as what your teammates and opponents will do becomes even more unpredictable.
The movement of the puck is the key
NHL 21 put a lot of effort into trying to make the game as realistic as possible and as such almost every play that results in a puck in the back of the net is the result of great puck movement. Forcing the defense to chase the puck is a great way to tire them out and force them out of position so the right person for the job can lace the puck for a straight line to the net.
This makes one-off players even more deadly, as a team that can move the puck evenly and successfully can also take the goalie out of position, making it even easier for the puck to slide into the net, even for those who are not. less qualified shooters.
A timer is removed when a player shoots the puck just as they receive the puck, so provided you're playing in a mode other than Be A Pro, you'll want to pass the puck to an intended teammate, then aim and swing. the shot before you receive the puck, releasing it the moment it comes into your possession. In Be A Pro, you'll do all of this in anticipation of receiving a pass. In this case, snaps are your friend, especially online.
Don't underestimate the wrong angles
Bad angle shots are pretty self-explanatory, as they're shots that are almost parallel to the goal line. In general, they are considered bad shots because they are quite easy to save as goalkeepers just need to get tight against the side of the net. However, since there are usually only a few good ways to save bad angle shots, there are plenty of ways to get lucky or follow up with something else to easily put the puck in the net.
If your teammates and defenders are sitting in front of the net, for example, you can treat the front of the net like a pinball machine and hope for a juicy rebound to turn into a bank of a player sinking into the net. You can also use the same principle with your teammates to try and get a deflection on the net or grab a juicy rebound to slide it around the goalie. Depending on the size and shape of the goalie, you might even get lucky with the puck hitting the goalie and getting in anyway.
Some bad angle shots are the definition of a "lucky bounce" and every shot you don't take when you get an opening could result in a missed opportunity to score.
Offensive awareness isn't just a statistic
While there is a stat associated with offensive awareness, you're going to score a lot more just by staying in position and knowing where you're supposed to be, where the play is going and where the puck is going. Sometimes just staying in position can secure a goal as you might need double coverage and put just enough pressure on the play to allow a teammate to score the puck. Of course, this is really more applicable to online modes and Be A Pro, but knowing that offensive awareness also applies to the puck carrier.
If you're the puck carrier, knowing where the play is split and how the defense reacts to play can result in a well-placed pass to someone who is wide open and can make a great shot on goal. It's more of an observational skill, but it's still extremely important.
Use the Rush
While the stopwatch is a key to scoring, especially online, there is a much more efficient way to take advantage of such a game and it is in a rush. In short for a strange man race, the race is when you enter the attacking zone with speed and have more teammates with you than defenders against you. It's a great way to get goaltenders out of position and secure the goal.
Speed is the key to taking advantage of this, as a high acceleration stat allows you to pump straight from a slow position to join the game. The best way to take advantage of a rush is to pass the puck to your teammate and exactly at the last moment you can and shoot the puck the moment it is received. Most of the time, this results in a goal.
Of course, the precious breakaway is another example of rushing, which brings me to ...
Deke's art
I've talked about dekes at length in this guide, so I won't explain which types are the most effective or how to perform them, but, like I said above, the breakaway is almost always the best time to remove one. Much like sliding the puck on the chip rush in one stopwatch, a well-timed deke puts the goalie out of position and gives you all the space in the world to put the puck.
Performing a deke on the breakaway is little more than just a timed command, but rather the result of good stick handling and deke stats, which means you can time it perfectly and still mess it up so know. exactly what you are getting into because a flashy deke might not work as well as a simple juke to move faster than the goalie. Of course, that's not always the case online, but it's a great way to score more often in single player.
Watch the screen
The goaltender's ability to see the puck will often determine his ability to make a save. This one is pretty straightforward; when there is traffic in front of the net it is harder for the goalie to see the puck, but the chances of the puck going through the net are a bit more difficult. These types of shots are a bit trickier, but they pay a lot more because if the traffic includes two of your teammates there is a better chance of deflection and those often increase your chances of scoring.
In modes like EASHL and Be A Pro, however, getting in front of the net means you're the one taking that sight away from the goalie and, with well-placed stats like stick handling, that means you might have a a better chance of catching a rebound or deflecting the puck meaning you might get the goal easy is you have the ability to react while the goalie is still recovering from the shot.
These are just a few of the ways you can really improve your shooting game, but always remember, play by your stats and play the game that happens on the ice. Keep all of this in mind and I guarantee you goals will start to happen a lot more often!
Be sure to check out our NHL 21 review and guide on how to win faceoffs, another important tool in any offensive arsenal!
