NHL 09 Preview

[Steve_OS]

Last month Operation Sports visited the EA Canada studio in Vancouver, British Columbia. We sat down and listened to what NHL 09 Line Producer, David Littman, had to tell us about the game. We were impressed.

Patrick Williams has put together a very in depth preview of NHL 09.

"For the third year in a row on the next gen consoles the skill stick has evolved to include more of a dynamic factor in the offensive and now defensive game. Skilled players have more control this season. These players can try to deke around defenders and goalies alike, but must be aware that sticks and skates are truly and totally interactive this year. Such an example is Cup winner Pavel Datsyuk coming in one on one with a goalie and cutting one way as he drags the puck with one hand on the end of his stick around the goalie for a nice slide in style goal."

[mdgoalie37]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

"You can also customize your controls to suit your style of game. So if you are more of a stick checker versus a body checker you can actually set the right stick up to control the stick by default on defense. This would mean you would hold the modifier button to control checks. This is something that is certain to help to cater to each individual's style."

I've read like 8 previews and I think this is the first I've heard of this.

[mdgoalie37]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

"The producers were sure to explain to us that hitting from behind can result in a penalty however in this game now, as well as running interference on the goalie, so pick your pressure accordingly."

First I've heard this too - great preview Patrick...

[Ruffy]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

After just trading in MY NHL 08 yesterday....just wasnt going to play it anymore knowing 09 isnt that far off and having played the game strictly only over 600 ranked games....probably the most I ever played a sports game since NHL 94...

It sounds like EA is doing the right thing and slighty adding tweaks and not trying to re do a game that they finally got right again...

The ability to go retro with the controls is a nice feature too..

Can't wait!

I hope in this one you can make Crosby's head Bleed...

http://gamevideos.com/video/id/5437

[Pierzynski 12]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

This looks like a must buy.

[Lubey]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

Can someone clear up for me what "Running interface with the goalie" means?

Also, how will using the right thumbstick to poke and sweep check be different than holding down RB and using the R stick in 08?

I'm sort of confused on those two points.

[mercalnd]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

Can someone clear up for me what "Running interface with the goalie" means?

It running interference not interface. The legal way of doing it is bascially parking yourself right in front of him to prevent him from seeing the puck and the play. If you back into him or prevent his free movement in the blue paint with your legs or stick then it become an interference penalty.

[thmst30]

How can the same studio that makes this incredible game also make NBA Live? Its night and day.

[mdgoalie37]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

It running interference not interface. The legal way of doing it is bascially parking yourself right in front of him to prevent him from seeing the puck and the play. If you back into him or prevent his free movement in the blue paint with your legs or stick then it become an interference penalty.

Unless you are Tomas Holmstrom who gets called for goalie interference for just standing in the general vicinity of the crease (non-Wings fan BTW)

[catcatch22]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

Can someone clear up for me what "Running interface with the goalie" means?

Also, how will using the right thumbstick to poke and sweep check be different than holding down RB and using the R stick in 08?

I'm sort of confused on those two points.

It won't be, they did it cause it was difficult for several people to hold RB and use the right stick together because it would cause different issues. If anything it should make it easier for guys like me that use the stick more than the body.

It would have been better to just make the left stick be what you use the guide in for natural collisions instead of a button, but I guess people have the need to have a "button" for the auto big hit.

[Lubey]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

It running interference not interface. The legal way of doing it is bascially parking yourself right in front of him to prevent him from seeing the puck and the play. If you back into him or prevent his free movement in the blue paint with your legs or stick then it become an interference penalty.

Wow I feel like an idiot.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

"As they celebrate their centennial in the league you will see old time players without helmets and a special in game addition that EA was pretty hush hush on at this time for the Habs it appears."

Legends are in the game? This must be one of the things EA is holding back. It would be sweet to see HoF'ers like Orr, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Gretzky, Howe, Richard, Hull, Yzerman, Harvey, Langway, Bossy, etc.. in the game.

I haven't read all the previews but I wonder if EA has put in the option of changing the game clock by whatever minute we want instead of 5/10/20 mins. Also I wonder if goalies like Turco and Brodeur will come out of their net more often to play the puck.

[Dalsanto0026]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

This game is sounding awesome.

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

"As they celebrate their centennial in the league you will see old time players without helmets and a special in game addition that EA was pretty hush hush on at this time for the Habs it appears."

Legends are in the game? This must be one of the things EA is holding back. It would be sweet to see HoF'ers like Orr, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Gretzky, Howe, Richard, Hull, Yzerman, Harvey, Langway, Bossy, etc.. in the game.

I haven't read all the previews but I wonder if EA has put in the option of changing the game clock by whatever minute we want instead of 5/10/20 mins. Also I wonder if goalies like Turco and Brodeur will come out of their net more often to play the puck.

The only team that is likely to have the old timers is Montreal as I stated because they are having their 100th anniversary.

There will be no other old time players in the game unfortunately.

Game clock is still only 5, 10 and 20 minutes for period options.

Goalies when controlled by the computer will play even more like their real life counterparts. Those goalies were more likely to play the puck in '08 though, so it might not be that drastic of a change from this year.

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 09 Preview

"The producers were sure to explain to us that hitting from behind can result in a penalty however in this game now, as well as running interference on the goalie, so pick your pressure accordingly."

First I've heard this too - great preview Patrick...

Thank you! The game is sounding pretty good about now, and they definately have the model upon which to build a winner with. Just have to wait and see what they are going to show us with their big surprise.