Offical Tactics Thread: General / Even Strength

[Aahlstroem]

Do you guys know how I should play these guys? I just can't make them play good hockey
Södergren is playing the thrid-line and the first 4vs5 BP
Öberg is playing the fourth-line and the second 4vs5 BP

[bruins72]

I don't see the technical attributes on your screenshots. Seeing those might help people give you advice.

I don't play SEL teams, so I'm not sure how good your attributes are for that league either. I usually base my personal tactics on a player's attributes.

[MKoivuFan]

I have tactical settings set and tacticial systems set for every line except even strength... was wondering if anyone had theirs they would like to share that has been successful?

[timmy_t]

Do you guys know how I should play these guys? I just can't make them play good hockey
Södergren is playing the thrid-line and the first 4vs5 BP
Öberg is playing the fourth-line and the second 4vs5 BP

Can you re-post the screen shots? I can help, but I need some more info.



@MKoivuFan- just go through this whole thread and you'll find what you're looking for.

[Saapas]

Gotta ask... I'm playing in OHL and I'm almost unbeatable but every season my goalies end up with S% and GAA. In every game I out-shoot my opponent but still they manage to make couple of goals

[cmdrsam]

I got a new question...

When I've personal tactics for my players (set in unit tactics screen), I notice that sometimes they are gone if the player misses games yet sometimes they stay.

Does anyone know when and how the settings would get cleared? Can I make the personal tactics to stay even when the player is not playing?

Dont qoute me on this but think it dissappears when they have left the roster via a send to the minors and perhaps Injured reserve.

[cmdrsam]

Ok got some more questions but since this applies to tactics I think will post this here. Again as I have stated I am a relativly new hocky fan. Am trying despartly to understand tactics. And how to better use them. I am currently using the Linda's newest version. Am in control of the Blues. Sorry, dont pick on me LOL. Anyways here are my questions.

1. backchecking, Always thought this was for the player on how hard he worked to defend against the player with the puck. But after rereading a tactic PDF file I find that is says "This defines how often the forwards will go back into their defensive zone and help out with defensive duties." Is this true? And does it matter if I have my RD/LD on any setting?

2. Dump the puck. I dont get this at all. My only inclination is I need speedy guys who are tough. Got neither on this team so should I set his at rarely? or what? What is needed for a good dump the puck line?

3. The next is a copy and past from the tactics PDF file

Breakouts

This determines how the players will be positioned and how they will play when getting the puck out of their defensive zone and into the neutral zone (i.e. clearing the
defensive zone).

Positional: Players will stand in their natural positions.

Board play: The wingers will be positioned close to the boards with the aim to clearthe puck wide via the boards. The wingers will therefore need strength to withstand
the physical play that comes with playing close to the boards.

Crisscross: A fast-paced pass-and-move style of play. As the puck is being moved often it gives the opposition less opportunity to pressurize the puck-carrier. However,
a bad pass could result in a giveaway. Thus players with good passing are needed for this system.

Free flowing: The players will clear the zone as and how they see fit in the circumstances without playing to any strict orders. This is mainly used on the
powerplay as there is less pressure on the offence from the short-handed team.

Wings cross: The wingers will switch positions. If the opposition has a slow defence then having the wingers crossover. <-- Currently use this alot. The lines I have set up it says I have 4 stars for speed so this one makes sence to me. But it seems like in the 2d game this often creates a log jam in the middle. Now again I am playing the Blues and have made few changes, but given the team with a four star speed rating, 4 for defence, 3 for skill, which would you pick? And I know it is a vague question.
I guess what I am trying to ask here is this. When is a good time to employ these tactics?


4. I have alot of trouble against speedy teams. I dont think I have a team of tanks stuck in the mud, but dont have speed demons either. I will play pretty tough then oh lord look out a breakway which usually leads to a easy score. The obviouse is my tactics, so should I play soft and have my guys back more defending or what? Again I know, its a vague question.

[Richie Daggers Crime]

If you're getting consistently burned by speed, try relaxing your gap control.

[tonybitz]

Hey guys,

I've been playing the game for a while now, and I have to admit I'm pretty bad. I just need a couple of pointers if anyone thinks they can help.

I'm looking for some advice on a good defensive setup, one that limits the shots on goal to something below 30 per game. I can't seem to find consistency in that department, and I tend to find it easier to get offense out of so so players than it is to get them to play defense.

Also, at the risk of getting laughed at by the whole board, I am a Leafs fan and can't seem to get Reimer to play anything close to what may pass for NHL caliber hockey. I realize that us Leaf fans tend to be delusional about our players, but the kid is an NHL starter on most teams, and in the game he can barely keep his GAA below 4.5, and his AVG Rating is always below 7.5

Any help at all would be great,

Tony

[Deleted 25-08-19]

Hey guys,

I've been playing the game for a while now, and I have to admit I'm pretty bad. I just need a couple of pointers if anyone thinks they can help.

I'm looking for some advice on a good defensive setup, one that limits the shots on goal to something below 30 per game. I can't seem to find consistency in that department, and I tend to find it easier to get offense out of so so players than it is to get them to play defense.

Also, at the risk of getting laughed at by the whole board, I am a Leafs fan and can't seem to get Reimer to play anything close to what may pass for NHL caliber hockey. I realize that us Leaf fans tend to be delusional about our players, but the kid is an NHL starter on most teams, and in the game he can barely keep his GAA below 4.5, and his AVG Rating is always below 7.5

Any help at all would be great,

Tony

I have neved achieved success with defensive tactic..

I always go for overloading slot, high forecheck, high pressure.. All Attack!

And just won my 17th cup at Kings.. Though game will be so easy, that you must make rules for yourself.. Like only own draftees.

[Firebird350]

Hey guys,

I've been playing the game for a while now, and I have to admit I'm pretty bad. I just need a couple of pointers if anyone thinks they can help.

I'm looking for some advice on a good defensive setup, one that limits the shots on goal to something below 30 per game. I can't seem to find consistency in that department, and I tend to find it easier to get offense out of so so players than it is to get them to play defense.

Also, at the risk of getting laughed at by the whole board, I am a Leafs fan and can't seem to get Reimer to play anything close to what may pass for NHL caliber hockey. I realize that us Leaf fans tend to be delusional about our players, but the kid is an NHL starter on most teams, and in the game he can barely keep his GAA below 4.5, and his AVG Rating is always below 7.5

Any help at all would be great,

Tony

Like any good system-you have to have players on your roster with the attributes to play it. To employ a good defensive system, you will need lots of big physical players who are capable of punishing the opposition in your own end. Just look at successful defensive teams in today's NHL-the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators come to mind. Both play a physically punishing style that wears down opponents and makes it harder to score as the game goes on. That is the key to winning with defensive tactics. If you have a bunch of smallish players who cant win board battles or clear the front of the net, you wont be able to play a shutdown style game.

I just won the Presidents trophy with my Florida Panthers using a defensive style of play, and had only 2 players in my lineup (not counting the goalie) who weighed under 200 pounds. I allowed the second fewest goals in the league and was only giving up an average 26.5 shots per game.

The main attributes you want are obviously checking, positioning, and pokecheck, but you also want guys with size and strength who excel in hitting-this is true not only for your defenceman, but your forwards as well. You need to play a hard hitting, low tempo style to succeed with defensive tactics-and a strong penalty kill is a MUST. You will naturally take more penalties with this style, so in your practice settings bump up your penalty kill 10 points or so from the default setting. Most people here say its harder to succeed with defensive tactics-but you just have to build your entire team from the back end out to play that style. I basically had two scoring lines with some top end talent (gotta score somehow) and two big, physical checking lines. All 6 of my defenceman are at least 210 pounds are more. I enjoy playing a "smashville" style of play and seem to be one of the few who have succeeded with it.

Oh, and James Reimer is not very good at all in this game-you wont with him in your lineup.

[mAcy]

I made a topic about this, but I guess it works better if I just post it here:
So I started a new game with Edmonton Oilers and after a few opening trades my lines are:

Ovechkin - Gagner - Hemsky (Ovechkin makes the goals and Hemsky and Gagner are great playmakers)
Hall- Nugent Hopkins - Eberle (Works in real NHL so should work in the game also)
Smyth - Horcoff - Knuble (My great oldie defensive line keeping the opponent stars out of goalscoring)
Petrell - Lander - Omark (Scandinavian power in the least important line including potential swedish attackers)

Whitney - Zidlicky
Smid - Rundblad
C. White - Petry

Dipietro - Dubnyk

Also potential guys to opening roster: Hartikainen and C.Barker.

With my own tactics I made couple of big wons in pre-season but when the real deal started, I have kept losing to everyone.
So now is your time to shine and give me hints how to maybe rebuild my lines, and make them tactics in your opinion. Also line matching, PP/PK line hints and Personal Tactics would be nice to get into shape if you know what I mean.

Please be active, every hint would be awesome!

[nino33]

Please be active, every hint would be awesome!

My hint would to be for you to read through this thread and the PP/PK thread (I took notes when I did).....I think you were given this link in the thread you already started (along with the link to the PP/PK thread) so YOU could spend some time reading the many pages of advice that already exists!

[Wroom]

I made a topic about this, but I guess it works better if I just post it here:
So I started a new game with Edmonton Oilers and after a few opening trades my lines are:

Ovechkin - Gagner - Hemsky (Ovechkin makes the goals and Hemsky and Gagner are great playmakers)
Hall- Nugent Hopkins - Eberle (Works in real NHL so should work in the game also)
Smyth - Horcoff - Knuble (My great oldie defensive line keeping the opponent stars out of goalscoring)
Petrell - Lander - Omark (Scandinavian power in the least important line including potential swedish attackers)

Whitney - Zidlicky
Smid - Rundblad
C. White - Petry

Dipietro - Dubnyk

Also potential guys to opening roster: Hartikainen and C.Barker.

With my own tactics I made couple of big wons in pre-season but when the real deal started, I have kept losing to everyone.
So now is your time to shine and give me hints how to maybe rebuild my lines, and make them tactics in your opinion. Also line matching, PP/PK line hints and Personal Tactics would be nice to get into shape if you know what I mean.

Please be active, every hint would be awesome!

That is almost how every pre-season is. Your opponents use a mix of players/try-outs/training camp guys and not very aggressive mind in those games.

Look at my tactic "Red Barrage Tactic" in it's own thread and get some ideas. Or try it, it's in the download section I believe and find ways to tweak it into you own customized way of play.

But I will say. Always use your best players on the first line and first d-pair.

[Garden Dwarf]

As suggested by someone in a post i can't remember, changing your neutral zone offensive between period can do a lot. Especially if your opponant scores against you.
I turned around many matches by doing that.

Anyway i still have a hard time against The Kings . They just dominate the playoff since 2 years. I am the only worthy contender the past 2 years

[Kirby]

Ok....so Im playnig EHM 2005 and I have a real great team of course. However I am in a 2nd round battle with washington and Ovechkin is killing me!!!!

What are the general rules of thumb for line matching and checking players individually? What should I be doing to stop him? it's 2-0 in games right now and I need to shut him down.

[Manimal]

You need to shut down EHM 2005 and play the 2007 version !

[McSkippy454]

I'm using the latest Manimal DB, Fantasy draft and in my first season. I have a first place team that is a scoring machine most games, but my problem is my goalies are letting goals in on nights where they face 19-23 shots, and not just 1 or 2 goals, I'm talking up to 5 or 6.

Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Alfredsson
Bertuzzi-Filppula-Doan
Sturm-Abdelkader-Eaves
Carcillo-Miller-Hunter
Extra: Brunnstrom

Lidstrom - Weber
Kronwall - McCabe
Janik - Klein (Janik is my 7th D I call up when someone is tired or hurt)
Extra (Hurt/tired) Colaiacovo

Brodeur/Montoya (Brodeur has received majority of the starts, 23 to 8 so far)

Both goalies will have a streak where they can shut down the opposing team, but then hit a stretch of losses/big goals allowed. I lead the league in Goals for, but I'm in the bottom 10 for goals against. I know my 4-7 D men aren't exactly the best, at least McCabe has played like a 6 D-man on occasion, but I'm trying to find if there are certain tactics I should set for my goalies to get less goals allowed, or in general as a team that keeps Goals for up, and Goals against down. Any suggestions?

[painkiller89]

does anyone here know why I always have 6-7 players in the statistics list the number of errors workouts during the season?

[timmy_t]

does anyone here know why I always have 6-7 players in the statistics list the number of errors workouts during the season?

I'm not sure what you're asking. Can you post a screen shot so we can see what you mean?

[Stevenj1127]

Is it possible, through settings to get Joni Pitkanen to put up stats reminiscent of Paul Coffey? I'm new to the game and want to get the absolute most out of my franchise player. It seems that if anyone is capable of putting up Coffey-like numbers, its him. thanks

[philou21]

Well you can adjust his personnal tactics and put him full offense but I don't know if it would work. I've played a couple of season with Pitkanen and even without personnal tactics he always did well because he is sooooo overrated in the game.

[ExxonPirate]

My team takes an unruly amount of minor penalties. My first game of the season we took 4 and won. Game 2 we took 9 and barely won and now we're on a 5 game losing streak; we took 9 in the first period last game! I changed aggressiveness and hitting to normal leaving only puck pressure on Heavy. What gives? I don't want my team to be pushovers, but these undisciplined penalties are testing my patience.

EDIT: Currently playing a game and we're being out hit and winning on 38% of the board battles. In our previous games we always outhit and were strong on the boards, so I assume my change of tactics has come into effect, but this is exactly what I wanted to avoid.

[Loosie]

Check the Discipline on your coaches, if they are low that effects the penalties too. You might want to look for some more Disciplined coaches if they are really low

[ExxonPirate]

Thanks for the reply, but my four assistant coaches are: 15, 15, 14, 18 in the discipline attribute.

We ended up winning that game where we were beaten along the boards, and the play evened up 45% to 55% . I thought my new tactics worked, but here we are 10 minutes into the first, down a goal, with 4 minor penalties.