NHL 26 Gameplay Deep Dive

Everything you need to know about gameplay in NHL 26

NHL 26 gameplay has seen some major updates, and we’re here to break them all down. This deep dive is about everything that has changed and the thinking that got us there.

Our focus this year was simple. We wanted more player expression, and gameplay that reflects the real NHL more consistently. To get there, we focused on three major systems:

• A new Goalie Crease Control System
• A redesigned X-Factor system
• An upgraded ICE-Q 2.0 engine powered by real NHL EDGE tracking data

Let’s get into it

Goalie Crease Control System

We started with goaltending. Over the past few years, goalie behavior has been one of the most discussed areas of gameplay. At times, they didn’t feel reactive enough or capable of handling second chances. That needed to change.

The new Goalie Crease Control System is a full overhaul of how goalies move, think, and respond to what’s happening in the crease.

80+ New Save Animations

We’ve added over 80 brand-new save animations. This gives goalies more variety and modern movement, including updated reflex saves, better body traps, and more active stick work to sweep away low shots. You’ll see quicker pokes, tighter seals, and improved reactions in close.

Positional Awareness and Save Logic

We’ve improved how goalies read the puck and anticipate shot locations. In past years, a quick forehand-backhand deke or a cross-crease pass could break the system too easily. That’s no longer the case.

Goalies now use positional logic to pre-emptively stretch out or close off gaps. New pose-matching logic also lets them react more quickly to the shot they’re facing.

Real-Time Responsiveness

We introduced a new consecutive saves system that allows goalies to break out of one animation and immediately respond to a new threat. If a puck changes direction or a rebound lands in front, they no longer have to finish the original save before reacting.

Covers are now faster and more reliable. Goalies can smother loose pucks directly out of a save attempt. We also added new getup saves so goalies can make a play even while recovering from a previous action.

Smarter AI Based on Goalie Type

Goalie positioning is now tied to player size and style.

• Smaller, aggressive goalies like Juuse Saros step out to challenge shooters and take away angles.
• Larger, more positional goalies like Darcy Kuemper stay deeper and rely on their frame to block space.

Goalies track wraparounds, sharp-angle chances, and backdoor passes more effectively. They adjust crease depth and movement based on the play in front of them.

Emotion In The Crease

We also wanted to give goalies more presence. You’ll see desperation glove saves, split-second pad slides, and emotional reactions after getting beat. The result is a goaltending experience that feels active and alive from puck drop to final horn.

Whether you’re controlling them directly or trusting the AI, goalies now play with a sense of purpose that hasn’t been there before.

Reworked X-Factors

X-Factors have been a part of Chel for a few years, but in NHL 26 we’ve rebuilt them from the ground up. The goal was to give them more strategic weight and make their impact more visible and consistent.

28 Abilities Across 5 Categories

We’ve defined 28 X-Factors at launch. Every ability is built around a specific gameplay identity and supported by visual triggers and tactical outcomes.

Tiered Impact

Every X-Factor now has three levels of effectiveness. At higher tiers, the ability becomes more pronounced, whether that means greater shot velocity, stronger contact, or more reliable pass threading.

Here are a few examples:

• The Rocket X-Factor now powers up slapshots, affects trajectory, adds visual impact, and even introduces a chance to stun goalies based on timing and velocity.
• Successful Deke with the Ankle Breaker X-Factor can cause increased panic turns on opposing defenders.

These are no longer passive boosts. They’re situational tools that can swing the momentum of a game.

Visual Feedback and Clarity

Each X-Factor now has visual cues to show when it’s triggered. Whether you’re winding up for a shot or breaking through the neutral zone, you’ll see exactly when your superstar ability is engaged.

ICE-Q 2.0 Powered by NHL EDGE

The final piece of the puzzle this year is ICE-Q 2.0, our smarter AI and decision-making system, now powered by real-world NHL EDGE data.

This is the same puck and player tracking tech used in all 32 NHL arenas, and it’s now driving the way players move, think, and respond in Chel.

What NHL EDGE Tracks

• Skating acceleration and top speed
• Shot location and velocity
• Save percentage by zone
• Heat maps of player movement
• Puck possession time and zone usage
• Body orientation and reaction time

This data is captured using 14 infrared cameras, puck sensors, and jersey tags. We’ve used it to enhance three gameplay systems: Attributes, Tendencies, and Presentation.

Attributes

We’ve reimagined how Attributes work in NHL 26 using real NHL EDGE tracking data.The goal was to make ratings more than just stats on a card. They now drive real, noticeable differences on the ice.

• Connor McDavid’s first few strides now feel like a true burst. When he gains possession in the neutral zone, you’ll feel that window to turn speed into separation.
• Auston Matthews gets his shot off with a smoother, more deceptive release.
• Cale Makar plays with a level of control that lets him escape forecheckers or recover on broken plays. His movement is fluid, especially when changing direction or transitioning between zones.

You’ll feel the difference between a power forward and a finesse playmaker. Speedsters can generate gaps more easily. Two-way forwards become better gap closers. Heavy hitters carry their weight into every check.

The end result is that attributes now create visible, moment-to-moment separation. You’ll start making lineup decisions based not just on who’s rated higher, but who actually fits your playstyle.

Tendencies

Tendencies build on that foundation by shaping how players behave on the ice. These aren’t just stat boosts. They are habits, built using NHL EDGE tracking, that define how a player plays shift to shift.

They show up across game modes and start becoming noticeable within your first few games.

• Leon Draisaitl often shoots from sharp angles and low-percentage areas near the goal line. In NHL 26, you’ll see him take those shots from tight space instead of circling wide or forcing a pass.
• Nathan MacKinnon leads with physicality on zone entries. He forces defenders to make contact decisions early and looks to muscle his way inside.
• Alex Ovechkin positions himself in his usual left circle spot during power plays. You’ll see him trail into space and wait for the puck to rotate his way, staying ready for a one-timer.
• Jacob Trouba times up open-ice hits in transition. He reads routes through the neutral zone and looks to step into the lane when attackers cut inside.

There are 22 unique Tendencies at launch, and they influence both on-puck and off-puck behavior. That includes things like zone entries, reaction timing, defensive spacing, and shooting habits.

If you’re playing against someone like Bedard or Crosby, you’ll start to anticipate where they’re going to be and what kind of decisions they’ll make under pressure. If you’re using them, you’ll notice they find space in smarter ways, look for their go-to spots, and attack with more identity.

These systems are designed to make NHL players feel more like themselves and to make every matchup feel more dynamic and true to life.

Presentation

We wanted to make sure the gameplay systems we built weren’t just working in the background, we wanted players to see them come to life, that meant rethinking how we surface real-time data.

In NHL 26, we’ve upgraded the presentation layer across the board. From new overlays and broadcast visuals to smarter replays and stat-driven analysis, you’ll get more context for what’s happening on the ice and why.

This isn’t just about adding flash. These tools are designed to help players recognize what led to a goal, how an opponent is generating offense, or why a certain matchup is breaking in one direction.

You’ll notice new key insights across in new areas that include things like:

• Expanded replays that show skating speed, shot angle, release point, and puck trajectory
• Threat indicators for high-danger players and scoring zones
• Faceoff stat comparisons showing head-to-head performance
• Multi-sequence replays that connect key moments like turnovers, zone clears, and key saves.

This brings a deeper sense of storytelling to every shift. It’s not just about what happened, it’s about how and why it happened.

Community Feedback

Vision Control (LT)

We made a targeted adjustment to how Vision Control behaves when used aggressively up-ice. In NHL 25, players were able to skate forward or hustle with LT held and maintain puck-facing posture with minimal downside. In many cases, this was becoming the dominant way to carry the puck in transition, even when it wasn’t the most appropriate choice.

In NHL 26, we’ve added a penalty to consecutive pivot overrides in those situations. You can still use Vision Control to scan and protect effectively, but doing so repeatedly while skating forward is no longer the most efficient way to move through the neutral zone. The intention is to reward smarter, more deliberate use of Vision Control and restore balance between control and acceleration when skating with the puck.

Hip Check Tuning

Hip checks have also been adjusted based on how they were being used, particularly in forechecking scenarios.

We wanted to address the scenario where players would skate directly at a puck carrier and quickly flip 180 degrees to deliver a hip check at full force. This wasn’t aligned with how hipchecks were intended to function.

To address this, hip check strength is now reduced based on turn angle. If you need to rotate sharply into the animation, the check becomes less effective. This encourages better alignment, and more realistic use of body positioning.

Reverse Hit Rebalancing

Reverse hits have been re-tuned to give size and strength a more consistent impact on outcomes. Larger players now have a clear advantage when absorbing contact and redirecting force through a reverse hit, which helps reinforce physical identity and role.

Smaller skaters can still use reverse hits situationally, but they will no longer be able to consistently win collisions against bigger players by default. This change creates more believable outcomes and rewards smarter timing instead of relying purely on animation triggers.

Puck Skills

You can now pull off toe drags while moving backward or laterally, something that previously only worked when skating forward or stationary. This opens up new ways to control spacing or bait defenders from different angles.

There’s also a new fake shot animation with the ability to pass directly out of it, adding an extra layer of deception and fluidity. In addition, players can now stickhandle more naturally while gliding, giving smoother control in transition and in tight spaces.

Final Thoughts

NHL 26 is about more than new features. It’s about building a smarter version of Chel, one that rewards creativity, decision-making, and hockey IQ.

Goaltenders have more control and more tools to fight for every puck. Superstars have more impact and identity. And the game as a whole runs on data-powered feedback that adapts shift to shift and player to player.

Thanks for taking the time to dig into gameplay. More feature deep dives are coming soon.