NHL 23 offers more deking options than ever before, including many special dekes that you may use in games.
Given that there are more than 20 different dekes available, it is not surprising that some of them are difficult to learn.
How to deke in NHL 23 and when to use each one efficiently are covered in this post.
Perform all the Dekes in NHL 23
You must switch to Skill Stick or Hybrid controls in NHL 23 to be able to do all of the dekes that are possible. Not all of the dekes shown below will be available if you use NHL 94 controls.
| Deke | PlayStation Controls | Xbox Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Backhand Toe Drag | Right Stick down + R3 | Right Stick down + R3 |
| Backhand Toe Drag Flip | Right Stick down + R3 + R1 | Right Stick down + R3 + RB |
| Backhand Toe Drag Shot | Right Stick down then up + R3 | Right Stick down then up + R3 |
| Backhand Toe Drag Pass | Right Stick down + R3 + R2 | Right Stick down + R3 + RT |
| One-Hand Deke (Left-Handed) | Switch to Backhand + Right Stick right to left + L1 | Switch to Backhand + Right Stick right to left + LB |
| One-Hand Deke (Right-Handed) | Switch to Backhand + Right Stick right to left + L1 | Switch to Backhand + Right Stick right to left + LB |
| One-Handed Tuck | Forehand or Backhand + R1 + L1 | Forehand or Backhand + RB + LB |
| Between-the-Legs Shot | Right Stick upwards + R3 + L1 | Right Stick upwards + R3 + LB |
| Between-the-Legs Pass | L1 + X + R3 | LB + A + R3 |
| Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass | L1 + R1 + R3 | LB + RB + R3 |
| Slip Deke (Near Boards) | L1 | LB |
| Drop Pass | R1 (not using Left Stick) | RB (not using Left Stick) |
| Board-Bank Self-Pass (Near Boards) | R2 + L1 | RT + LB |
| Behind-the-Net Self-Pass | R2 + L1 | RT + LB |
| Flip Deke | Forehand or Backhand + L1 + R2 | Forehand or Backhand + LB + RT |
| Lacrosse Deke (Michigan) | Forehand + Right Stick left to right + hold R3 + hold L1 | Forehand + Right Stick left to right + hold R3 + hold LB |
| Stride Deke | Left Stick to either side + L1 | Left Stick to either side + LB |
| Fake Deke | Forehand + Stride Deke + Backhand + Right Stick | Forehand + Stride Deke + Backhand + Right Stick |
| Backhand Tap Back Deke | Right Stick to the right + (left) + L1 + Left Stick to the right | Right Stick to the right + (left) + LB + Left Stick to the right |
| Forehand Tap Back Deke | R from left to right + L1 + R to the right + Left Stick to the left + Right Stick to the left | R from left to right + LB + R to the right + Left Stick to the left + Right Stick to the left |
| Jump Deke (Chip Deke) | Right Stick upward + L1 | Right Stick upward + LB |
| Skate Kick Deke | Right Stick downward + L1 | Right Stick downward + LB |
| Through-the-Legs Deke | Right Stick right to left + L1 | Right Stick right to left + LB |
Execute Deke Moves
Now that you are familiar with every deking maneuver NHL 23 has to offer, let’s look at how to use some of them.
Board-bank Self-pass
Console controls are R2 and L1.
RT and LB are the Xbox controls.
When to Use: When your player is close to the boards and the opponent blue line.
1/5 difficulty
In Free Skate mode, you can learn the board-bank self-pass, which is a straightforward deke. A defenseman being taken out of the game or the puck being moved into your opponent’s zone for another player to pick up is a very successful move.
Similar to the slip-deke, the board-bank self-pass will get your skater close to the open ice so you have room to get around your defender and get to the puck on the other side.
This is How to Do The Wrist Shot in NHL 23
Between-the-legs Pass
L1 + X + R3 on the PlayStation
Controls on an Xbox: L1 + A + R3
When to Use It: If you believe you are about to be checked or pinch.
1/5 difficulty
The between-the-legs pass is one of the simplest to grasp when it comes to carrying out a straightforward deke. But even if it’s simple to learn, it’s still really powerful.
Maintaining puck possession is a great defensive move since it makes it difficult for players to intercept.
When you’re about to get checked, it enables you to shield the puck with your body.
Deke In Nhl 23
Michigan deke
Controls for the PlayStation: Forehand + Right Hold R3, hold L1, and move from left to right.
Xbox One controls are left and right. Stick from left to right, while holding R3 and LB.
When to Use It: As you navigate around the opposing team’s goal.
5/5 for difficulty
The Michigan deke, often known as the Lacrosse deke, is one of the most impressive but challenging dekes you may employ in NHL 23.
You won’t catch the puck if you move too quickly. The puck won’t move if you move at a sluggish pace.
For the Michigan deke, timing your swing’s speed is crucial.
You should practice it in Free Skate mode to get acquainted to the ideal timings because it works best from behind the goal.
Chip deke
Controls for the PlayStation: Right Stick up + L1
Right Stick upward + LB on an Xbox
When to Use: When a defender is diving, close by.
1/5 difficulty
The chip deke, also known as the hop deke, is an excellent move to use occasionally.
Since the timings are so exact, it might be challenging to learn, but once you get the hang of them, you’ll find yourself using it regularly.
For the best outcomes, position yourself close enough to your opponent before you execute the deke since the chip deke only sends the puck a short distance into the air.
One-handed Tuck deke
Switch to Backhand + Right Stick + Left Stick + L1 on a PlayStation
Switch to Backhand + Right Stick + Left Stick + LB on an Xbox
When You Should Use It: When facing up against a goalie who has been drawn to the side.
4/5 difficulty
One of the most creative and potent ways to score in NHL 23 is the one-handed deke. It is a highly useful strategy to raise your scoring percentage after you learn to read the goaltender’s movements.
The deke deceives your opponent into committing too much to one side, giving you plenty of room inside to score with the skill move.
Fake Deke
Forehand + Stride Deke + Backhand + Right Stick on the PlayStation
Forehand + Stride Deke + Backhand + Right Stick on Xbox
When to Use: Use a sneaky trick to get the goalie out of position.
2/5 difficulty
Sometimes the best deke is the one you don’t perform. All of the warning indicators that you are about to perform a deke are shown by the fake deke, which can cause goalies to commit to a tackle and leave the way in front of you wide open.
Top Deking Skaters in NHL 23
Once you’ve decided the deke maneuvers you want to master in NHL 23, it’s critical to pick the right teammates with whom to execute them.
While most players can execute the fundamental deke movements with ease, you’ll need a top deke skater for more difficult routines because each player has their own deke rating.
Here is a ranking of NHL 23’s top deke players.
Some of the players on this list were also included in our lists of the top young players in NHL 23 and the best first-round draft choices.
| Player | Franchise | Deke Score | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche | 97 | 94 |
| Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 97 | 95 |
| Artemi Panarin | New York Rangers | 96 | 92 |
| Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay Lightning | 96 | 92 |
| Johnny Gaudreau | Columbus Blue Jackets | 96 | 90 |
| Patrick Kane | Chicago Blackhawks | 96 | 93 |
| David Pastrnak | Boston Bruins | 95 | 91 |
Final Reflections
Now that you are familiar with every deke maneuver in NHL 23, you can head to the practice area and begin perfecting your favorites.
Once you’ve mastered a few of them, you may start using them in games to confuse your opponent and score some artistic goals.
