In NHL 23, having greater possession of the puck does not always translate into victory. There are many benefits to using the counterattack and trying to outrun opponents to score.
However, keeping the puck for extended periods of time is the simplest method to exert control over the game, set the tempo, and generate more scoring opportunities.
To accomplish this, you must master NHL 23 faceoff strategy. It is crucial to learn how to win faceoffs because they are similar to basketball’s tip-off but happen at the beginning of every phase.
This post will show you how to successfully win faceoffs more frequently in NHL 23 so that you may launch more assaults as a result.
NHL 23 Faceoffs
Any ice hockey game’s central element has always been the faceoff. Whichever team has possession of the puck throughout the next phase will have more opportunities to score against their opponent.
Learning how to deke or execute a wrist shot is great, but these abilities are useless if you don’t have the puck in your control.
Generally speaking, the center in your lineup will be needed to take the faceoff until you switch the specialty teams.
The start of a faceoff is signaled by both centers standing across from one another, on each side of the faceoff dot.
As the referee gets closer, you should decide on your hold. When the puck finally drops, try to claim it for your team by timing your faceoff motion correctly.
Whether or not you win a faceoff depends greatly on your timing. You can begin experimenting with alternative faceoff moves as you start to pick up on the officials’ tendencies and master the timing.
NHL 23 Faceoff Controls
The NHL 23 faceoff controls are designed to make it easier for you to win a faceoff. You can use the left stick to move your player around the circle, and the right stick to move your stick up or down.
If you want to go high on the puck, press A on your controller. If you want to go low, press X instead. Press R1 or R2 as soon as you enter the circle to go directly after the puck.
Fortunately, NHL 23’s faceoff controls are incredibly easy to master. To begin with, all you need to do is choose one of two holds and then move once the puck has landed.
However, there are a number of faceoff moves you can use right now to try to negate whichever one your opponent has selected.
Winning Faceoffs in NHL 23
In NHL 23, setting your grip before the puck drops, waiting to play your faceoff action until the puck touches the ice, and choosing a faceoff action that properly counters your opponents are all requirements for winning faceoffs.
While all of that may seem like a lot to keep in mind, there is one more thing you can do to increase your chances of winning faceoffs: choose centers with strong composure and faceoff statistics.
Tips to Win More Faceoffs in NHL 23
Controls-wise, faceoffs are rather straightforward, and the majority of draws will depend on who has the better timing rather than who has a more advanced skill set.
There are a few strategies you may employ to increase your chances of winning faceoffs, though.
Recruit the Best Faceoff Centers
A center with outstanding faceoff statistics is one method to ensure you have more success, a larger range of timings, and other crucial factors.
Try to sign one of these players to your club to give yourself the best chance of winning possession for your team. Two-way centers typically have the finest faceoff statistics.
Be Wary of Quick Draw
NHL 23 is the second year of x-factors, one of which is Quick Draw, which is useful in a faceoff circle in particular.
In a faceoff, Quick Draw enables remarkable, unmatched rapidity, higher defensive zone faceoff statistics, and other benefits.
Be careful while facing players who possess this x-factor trait because it will be nearly impossible to defeat them in a faceoff.
The importance of timing
Before the puck drops, if you are not ready and in position, you will probably lose the draw. Anyone who wants to be more effective in faceoffs must make sure they execute the time perfectly.
As soon as your feet are planted, make sure your grip is in the forehand or backhand position. After that, wait to initiate the faceoff until you see the NHL referee lean in and drop the puck.
Observe your opponent’s hands.
You must watch your opponent’s hands to see which one they place lower on the stick in order to determine which faceoff strategy they intend to use.
A forehand grip will be used if you can see the player’s thumb and fingers. A backhand faceoff or even a forehand stick lift can easily defeat a simple forehand grip.
With the right timing, you may even surpass your opponent’s fundamental forehand grip with the same grip.
As a result, you can reply with a better-timed backhand or a tie-up move if you see the knuckles of the player’s glove rather than the opponent’s fingers.
Set-up on the Backhand
We tested every faceoff action in NHL 23 and found that the fundamental background faceoff maneuvers are the most dependable and straightforward to execute.
Not to mention how powerful they are versus opponents who use CPUs. To avoid becoming predictable if you like to play online, you should vary your faceoff strategies.