NHL 09

Building on the groundwork established with NHL 08, NHL 09 offers enhancements and new features designed to improve on its critically acclaimed predecessor. Emphasis is placed on the defensive game for this version, with the right analog "skill stick" used to block passing lanes and lift a rival's stick to disrupt potential one-timers. Other key additions include one-handed dekes, revamped physics-based checking and fighting, and an option to control the game using only two buttons and the left analog stick. In addition to the online modes featured in NHL 08, NHL 09 includes simultaneous support for up to 12 remote players in six-on-six team play. A new role-playing mode entitled "Be A Pro" focuses on a single athlete as you attempt to guide your alter ego from his start in the AHL to a star-caliber career in the NHL. A third-person perspective on the ice brings you closer to the action as you monitor your athlete's progress in over 50 categories. You can even take your custom character online to earn experience by competing against players from around the world.

COMPLETE CONTROLS

OFFENSE

SKATING/DEKING

DEFAULT CONTROLS

Left Thumbstick = skate, aim (pass and shoot)
Left Thumbstick (Release) = glide
Right Thumbstick Left or Right = deke
Left Bumper + Left or Right Thumbstick = loose puck deke
Left Trigger = vision control
Right Bumper (Tap) = push puck (when you have the puck)
A Button = protect puck

CLASSIC CONTROLS

Left Thumbstick = skate, aim (pass and shoot)
Left Thumbstick (Release) = glide
Right Thumbstick Left or Right = deke
Left Trigger = vision control

SHOOTING

DEFAULT CONTROLS

Right Thumbstick Down = wind up
Right Thumbstick Up = shoot puck, slap shot
Right Thumbstick Left, Up + Left, Up, Up + Right or Right = wrist shot
Right Thumbstick Down (Release) = fake shot

CLASSIC CONTROLS

Right Thumbstick Down = wind up
B Button = shoot puck, slap shot
X Button = wrist shot
Left Trigger (Hold) + B Button (Release) = fake shot

PASSING

DEFAULT CONTROLS

Right Trigger = pass
Right Trigger (Hold) = 1 touch pass
Right Bumper = saucer pass
Right Bumper (Hold) + Right Thumbstick Up = flip dump

CLASSIC CONTROLS

A Button = passs
Right Bumper = saucer pass
Right Bumper (Hold) + Right Thumbstick Up = flip dump

DEFENSE

DEFAULT CONTROLS

Left Thumbstick = move
Right Trigger = switch player
Right Thumbstick (In Direction of Player) = body check
Right Bumper = poke check
A Button = stick lift
Right Bumper (Hold) or Right Thumbstick + Right Bumper (Hold) = sweep stick
Y Button = hook, tie up (start fight)
Y Button = slash (post whistle only)
Left Bumper + Right Bumper = dive, block
Left Bumper (Hold) + Right Thumbstick = pass block
Left Bumper + A Button = manual goalie
Left Bumper + Back Button = pull goalie

CLASSIC CONTROLS

Left Thumbstick = move
A Button = switch player
Y Button = body check
X Button = poke check
Left Bumper = hook, tie up
Left Trigger + Y Button = slash (start fight)
Left Bumper + Right Bumper = dive, block
Left Trigger + A Button = manual goalie
Left Trigger + Back Button = pull goalie

GOALIE

Left Thumbstick = move
Right Thumbstick Left or Right = save attempt
Right Thumbstick Down = butterfly
Right Thumbstick Up = poke check
Right Trigger = pass
Right Bumper = through pass

COACHING STRATEGY

DEFAULT CONTROLS

B Button = change forwards
X Button = change defense
Y Button = change line strategies (during line change)
D-Pad Up = forecheck strategies
D-Pad Right = breakout pressure
D-Pad Down = defensive pressure
D-Pad Left = defensive strategy

CLASSIC CONTROLS

D-Pad Up = forecheck strategies
D-Pad Right = breakout pressure
D-Pad Down = defensive pressure
D-Pad Left = defensive strategy

FIGHTING (FOR ALL CONTROL CONFIGURATIONS EXCEPT CLASSIC)

Y Button = initiate fight
A Button = punch
Right Trigger = grab
X Button = dodge punch

DEFENSIVE SKILL STICK (FOR DEFAULT CONTROLS ONLY)

A Button = stick lifts
Right Bumper (Tap) = pokecheck
Right Bumper (Hold) or Right Bumper + Right Thumbstick = stick sweep
Left Bumper (Hold) or Left Bumper + Right Thumbstick = pass blocker

REPLAY SCREEN

X Button = set or clear marker
Left or Right Bumper = camera angles
Left Thumbstick Button = take photo
Y Button = edit clip

EDIT REPLAY SCREEN = X Button = playback speed
Right Thumbstick Button = change color
Left Thumbstick Button = take photo
Left or Right Bumper = change camera
B Button = apply changes