NHL 19, The game of issues and problems

NHL 19 is what… Good? Bad? Many players in the community call the current status of the game terrible. Some call it good, some others call it decent, but needs improvement. Needing improvement is a fact but the game is not as terrible as it could be. It is in need of some fixes and some of which will be addressed in this article. These issues will mainly consist of EASHL and in-game mechanics that also effect HUT and Versus. We will not be discussing dressing room errors and while it is frustrating, I do not have a simple answer for that. (Disclaimer: I am not going to be picking apart the HUT issues with the cards and packs. I am no HUT expert and the time it would take would be a waste, seeing that I do not play HUT). This article will address EASHL and the classes, attributes, and the in-game mechanics that affect those other game modes.

 

First thing up is the conflicted game mode, EASHL. EASHL is the mode I play the most. I play LG and I take 6s very competitively; 3s not so much. I play more matches a night than some biggies may but that’s not the point.I play wing, so my main job is to cover the defenseman, score goals, and create plays. Sadly, how this game is setup, you must strictly be what your class is. Even with all the options and cool traits you can pick,good luck trying to score without some negative. You want to be a strong playmaker with good shot and balance? You can’t do that. The game takes away too many negatives. Core Balance shouldn’t take shooting away. The playmakers shot is weak as is, it should not make it worse. The game doesn’t just do that with playmaker. For example, my teammate is a pure sniper and goal scorer. He uses quick wrister for his main attribute ON a sniper class. Yes it works but he also likes to deke. If he wants to be a deking sniper, he can’t. First, the deking below 87 is terrible and the fact is that it hurts your shot as well. A snipers deking can only go to a 84. Even that is not a guarantee for a successful deke. Basically, the classes need to either have higher attributes to start with, make no negative cost to other attributes, or make smaller costs to those affected. The game was big on showcasing top end, speed, and agility however, if you use either trait, it cancels out the other one. A playmaker can go from 88 speed to 84 just for better agility. At that point it is basically useless. The speed feels slow. I have been a small dangler and when this game came out I used to blow bigger defenseman out of the water. Now it feels like everyone is closer in speed so maybe a gap would help. These are all slight issues, but it is the first year of this new system. There is room for improvement for sure.

 

Next up is more of the mechanical game issues. I will use game knowledge and in-game scenarios I have encountered for these. I will use facts I have heard and learned.

 

First up, we will be discussing the poor puck pickups, dekes, and failed animations in the game. Too often I see a puck in the corner and I skate close to it. My guy ignores it like the puck is simply not there. This annoys many people and this is not the only time this happens. I will receive a pass, the puck will be slightly tipped or deflected in some sort of way, and the puck will still come to my direction. For some reason, my guy will be completely lost and is unable to get the puck. This is also a mix of the failed animations. Failed animations are like failed passes, failed shots, or pickups. Basically when your guy acts like he has no effort and is dead. Your player needs to be more aware. Deking feels way to low for all classes. As I explained earlier, I have tested the dangler. Yes he can deke pretty well however, I still feel like I lose the puck often.For a class with good hands and high offensive awareness, it seems like he cannot deke clearly. Every class needs a boost in my opinion.

 

Next is something that mixes in 2 different categories. I will address something that I feel is a big part of hockey and the community does not understand. This is the meanings of Offensive and Defensive awareness and how EA seemingly does not understand lane coverage.

 

When you are on defense as a winger, your job is to cover the opposing teams defender at the blue line. Now, your job obviously is not that strict. Get to the wall, create an outlet for your defense to break the puck out, and cover the back doors sometimes. Of course these are all situational events and as the game progresses things happen and situations change. The one issue I find is as you sit in the high slot, covering the point, you also try to cover the center of the ice. In case of a quick backdoor play, you can read it. What happens sometimes (I am guilty of doing this a few times) players will throw a cross ice pass from the corner to the diagonal defenseman. For some reason, even with a puck moving defender, you cannot grab the puck. Either the game just is not registering the interception or your guy is seemingly unaware. I have been in scenarios where I am staring at the passer and my guy still cannot get the puck. This may be a broken animation and it happens way too often.

 

Next is the offense and defense awareness meanings. These have somewhat been defined but still nobody really knows what they are or what they do. These need to be fixed and actually show growth or tell us what each does. Here is what I propose, offensive awareness should be defined in what it does. I think a higher awareness should mean getting the puck back faster after a deke that may fail, or if a puck deflects quickly, your guy should be able to get the puck quicker. Such as if the puck is batted out of the air, or stopped with your stick or feet. Also, higher OA should make you able to recover pucks from all around you, behind you, on the side. Defensive awareness slightly ties into lane coverage. The higher your defensive awareness is the better you should be able to intercept pucks, grab loose pucks near the net and make your poke check more effective in poking at a loose puck. Your player should maybe be better at blocking shots or getting a stick in shooting and passing lanes.

 

Next we will be bundling up stick lifts, poke checks and other miscellaneous things. In the current state, I feel like the stick lifts are an absolute sword fight. I have been trying to get a puck in the corner and I will get stick lifted, then they grab the puck. Then, I grab it and we are instantly in a stick lift war. Stick lifts need to have a slow down time in between using them or make more penalties. The pokes feel like spam. I think the original game status had pokes perfected (obviously take out the glitches that occurred). Unless you are in a perfect spot to poke, it will make a tripping call.

 

The next thing I want to address is the goalie animations. I have spoken with many goalies in EASHL/LG; they all agree the games animations are poor and I agree.  I have seen goals go in by goalies not doing animations, or even some animations that put the pucks in the net without a way to stop them. Some goalie animations should be optional. Auto pokes on the post is often complained about, along with a way from going from an animation to animation. Another complaint is standing up after each move you make.I have experienced this, dumping the puck as a goalie is horrible. Sometimes it does not go where you want and sometimes you have to spam the stick to shoot.

 

In conclusion of this, I am sure I will miss some issues. This is not a bash against EA. They do their best. I feel bad for Flopfish and the amount of GameChangers who take abuse for things they can’t do. They help express the game, show gameplay, and help US improve. They create content, NOT develop the game internally. Some do, but a lot are content creators. This game was a step in the right direction, now all we can do as fans and players is express our opinions and issues.

Wrote by @Holland98_

Edited by @ForeverDev18

Times are changing, Buffalo is no longer the old Buffalo

The Buffalo Sabres, a team that for the last few seasons would have been down and out after being down even 2 goals. A team that struggled with offense, lacked some defense, and goaltending for what seems like years. The Sabres were a mess, not even being able to complete comebacks or fight in games. They showed no signs of life or desire to win. The fan base was beaten and sick of losing. They wanted change. Slowly the pieces came together and some luck occurred. All of the sudden, the hopes are high and the future is bright.

 

Fast-forward to November 17th, 2018. The Buffalo Sabres have just won 5 straight games, the first time since 2012. They beat Tampa Bay, a very good team in the East with true firepower. They then come from behind and beat the Winnipeg Jets, a team that is a powerhouse in the West. Just before these 2 wins, Buffalo came back from being down 3-1 to Vancouver with less than 3 minutes to go. With a absolutely filthy shootout goal from Mittelstadt, they win. Then, Buffalo comes into Minnesota on a back to back after playing the Jets, and come from behind yet again to win. Dahlin makes a nice pass to McCabe for a goal. Dahlin jams in a lose puck and Pominville scores with under 2 minutes to go, Buffalo wins it, and just like that it is 5 wins in a row. 

 

Before these wins, the Sabres fought back to beat Montreal 6-5 in overtime. Buffalo is rolling early on in the season and last year this team would not have even been near the top of the division. Buffalo currently stands at 3rd in the Atlantic and tied for 4th in the conference. Oh, and by the way, they are 6th in the NHL. Buffalo has turned it around from past seasons.

 

Was it just a matter of time before it turned around? Is this just luck? No, this is the work of good trades, development and some “luck”. Buffalo got Dahlin, a solid generational defenseman. There is no doubt he will be unreal in years to come. They got Skinner, a man who seems to score every game who has 14 goals already. Jason Pominville, the ageless vet who seems to look like he is 25 again. Sam Reinhart, a young talent who may not score a ton, may not make the most impressive moves, but is one of the smartest players on the team. His hockey sense and knowledge allows him to make slick and sneaky passes and plays to Jack, Skinner, or anyone who is open. His presence on the powerplay is key. Carter Hutton, is a brick wall we have been needing deeply. Hutton stands tall every night, allowing Buffalo to come back and win games that would have been blowouts in years past. He has taken the role as a starter and embraced it. Lastly, there is Jack Eichel. The captain, the man who believes in this team. His team. He wants to be the best, he wants to be the leader, he is the captain Buffalo has wanted. Compared to McDavid, Matthews, Marner, and Laine, questions he faces the questions that have been asked for years. Is he good enough? Is he a bust? Was he projected to high? No, Jack is what we all expected. A leader and a true player. Someone who wants to win, strives to win and has the passion burning to win. He has embraced the team and city and now he wants nothing but success.

Buffalo has changed slowly over the past few seasons, even if it has been a slow and painful process. Buffalo is headed in the right direction. They are winning games and they are actually in every game. Buffalo may surprise everyone this year, just like they have already. They are just a bunch of kids having fun right now. Playing well and learning every time they come to the rink, just a young group looking to erase the rough past. 

 

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Edited by @ForeverDev18

Buffalo shows resilience and pride, comes back to beat Montreal 4-3

The Sabres entered Thursday nights game with a 2 game winning streak, looking to make it 3. Buffalo had just come off the Western road trip and have not played since Sunday. Coach Housley stressed that having energy and being fast is good for the return home. Buffalo came into Thursdays game 5-4-0 and Montreal came in as 5-1-2. Their main strategy is to keep firing at the net.

As the game started, Buffalo would let in an early goal 1:17 into the game. The play was a snipe by Max Domi; the speed he used to cut laterally, the quick deke he made, and shot he took went right to the upper corner. That is no doubt hard for Hutton to get. Buffalo would play on and continue to grind the period out.

Entering the 2nd, the Sabres felt they had pressure on the Habs and it soon followed as a play created by Skinner, left a wide open Pominville in front alone, tying the game. Later on in the period, the Sabres would misplay an icing call and Armia would finish the wraparound making it 2-1. It is important to say in the past year  the Sabres in this situation, would be pretty much defeated. They would “fall into a shell” Pominville commented later on also saying, “We would not be able to come out of it but it is a new team and this team does not quit”. Pominville would get a puck just sliding to him in front after being knocked down, then tied the game again at 2-2.

The final period was a crazy one and the arena was chanting the old ” Let’s Go Buffalo” chant, one that still gives me chills. The Sabres entered the 3rd, outshooting the Canadiens 27-18. They would end up with 15 shots in the 3rd, with the Habs only getting 4. Domi would score another snipe as he danced his way in with a move at the blue line and he shot a quick wrister past Hutton. Buffalo, again would not give up. With pressure in the zone, Sheary would find an open Jake McCabe who would send a pass to Sam Reinhart, right on the doorstep for a tap in to tie the game at 3. Buffalo would get a huge power play with 1:19 left to go.

A good setup, with a fake by Dahlin at the line gave it to an open Kyle Okposo, who would fire a cannon of a wrist shot off the pipe and in past Niemi all with 1:01 left. Buffalo would keep the Canadiens off the board for the final minute and win with a final score of 4-3. Buffalo out-shot Montreal 42-22.

Some good takeaways from this game could be that Buffalo is key on blocking shots. Blocks by Bogosian, Larsson, McCabe, and Girgensons all helped the Sabres in key situations.

This is a slow process but the Sabres have shown they play with pride and they try to give all they got.  Another key is getting more shots on net. Buffalo has been firing puck after puck on net and they are being rewarded.

Finally the Sabres may have that mix of snipers and grinders to help them score. Buffalo is heading in a good direction, Buffalo  could potentially be a shocker in the East, if they keep this up. Buffalo will play Columbus, in Columbus on Saturday. Puck drop is at 7PM.

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Edited by @ForeverDev18 

Sabres shift lines for game against Rangers

The Sabres went back to practice Friday morning and chose not to skate before tonight’s game against the Rangers. We found out that Sobotka is out day to day with an upper body injury from the opener, and that Remi Elie will make his debut tonight.

Lines were a bit mixed having Sobotka out. The Sabres, looking for their first goal of the season, have put Sheary on a line with Reinhart and Eichel. They put Girgensons on a line with Mittelstadt and Okposo. Skinner took the wing of Berglund and Thompson and Elie is with Rodrigues and Pominville. The defense will stay the same as they look to produce something in the offensive zone. The Sabres did not score Thursday night.

Buffalo is hoping to bring out a win tonight. The Sabres have 2 more home games after this, then will head out West for the western road trip. Buffalo look to at least gain a few points before then. The key for Buffalo is having a good first 10 games. If the Sabres can come out and be a 7-3-0 team after 10 games, then perhaps we can see something good happen. If the Sabres come out flat and start off 2-8-0, or anything less than 4 wins, things may need changing. Buffalo has the potential to be a very good team this year. If they can find their game soon and start winning games consistently (what they have not been able to do in prior years) they could shock the league and possibly slide into playoff contention. Now that is far off but the Sabres could possibly do it. It has been only 1 game and there is no need to overreact and begin tanking. They will slowly need to find out how to string wins together. The There is no excuse for not scoring and with Eichel, Reinhart, Mittelstadt, Skinner, and Okposo, they definitely have talent.

Dahlin also helps, as he still can learn the NHL game and find out what works/what does not work. He needs to try things and if it does cost a goal then its no big deal. He needs to learn and losing and mistakes help shape rookies. Dahlin is all for bettering himself and the team. He can help the Sabres in every aspect. Over the season, we will slowly see him shape up to becoming a cornerstone player and a franchise player. Buffalo will slowly turn around and if they cannot win within a months time I am sure they will make appropriate changes. The Sabres host the Rangers tonight at 7pm at KeyBank Center.

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Edited by https://twitter.com/ForeverDev18

 

Disappointing 4-0 loss at Home Opener has fans in anger

The Sabres opened up the season at home against Boston. The energy was electric inside the Keybank Center. The crowd was ready and was excited for what many believed to be the start of a better year. Dahlin had a standing ovation and Eichel being announced as captain had the building wilded up.  However, an angry Boston team,  who just lost 7-0 to the Capitals, came into Buffalo looking to do damage, and did they ever. Buffalo out-shot the Bruins 32-26, but that did not matter. the score however did matter. Buffalo would fall in the end 4-0.

Buffalo came out, slightly flat. The team seemed energized but did not seem fast and feisty like many have thought. Hutton came out strong early, showing he could play solid early on. He would end up making a big breakaway save later on in the game. The Sabres would give up 2 goals in the 1st period. A goal by Chara, only 6:33 into the game took the buzz out of the arena. Then at 15:34, Donato would make the game 2-0. After the 1st, Fans booed the team off the ice. Mainly in part due to the fact that they were losing. The shots were 11-6 Bruins after the 1st.

The 2nd did not get easier for Buffalo. Shots only were 11-10 in favor of Buffalo, but the had some decent opportunities. The tried getting pucks deep but Halak would stop every puck and start the break out for the Bruins. David Pastrnak would score late in the 2nd to make the game 3-0. At the end of the period the boo birds would be in full effect. The crowd letting the team and coaches know they were disgusted. The team and arena felt like a tank year. The team was playing terribly and the fans were sick of it. The Bruins would be dominated in shots in the final period 15-5, but the Sabres seemed to have just swung every puck at the net. Sam Reinhart has a few nifty chances, just unable to finish the goals. Dahlin played well,  getting better as the game went on. The rookie Swede looked solid, making some minor “rookie” errors. Nothing that could not be fixed of course. Bergeron would add an empty net with 12 seconds left, after Housley pulled Hutton and had an empty cage for nearly 4 minutes.

 

The fans were disappointed, why wouldn’t you be? You expect a team to come out and have a great start and unfortunately it was just a tough night for the Sabres. The Bruins in no way are a bad team, but it is not an excuse to not preform. The Sabres need more energy, more spark and more of a push if they hope to win. Yes this is game 1 out of a long 82 game season, but Housley after the game said, “We need to start winning game now”. The coach is right. You must create a winning atmosphere early and not get dull with the loses and sink into a losing culture. The Sabres have another chance to redeem the tough start on Saturday, as they host the New York Rangers at 7PM, in the Keybank Center.

 

 

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