I am beginning to think it is something to do with the AI itself. Here are two common issues I see each and every game:
1) The CPU will back things up and sit in the neutral zone if you cut of the boards. They will pass or circle back until they see an opening along the boards to enter, or eventually will dump the puck in to enter the zone. This runs time off the clock and subsequently reduces their potential for more shots.
2) If I cut the CPU off along the faceoff circles, they will pass the puck repeatedly back to the blueline. Over and over...rinse and repeat. Their offense is very one dimensional in that if you cut off the faceoff circles defensively they just don't know what to do. This leads to the manic passing they do along the boards to the blueline.
For that matter, my teammate AI isn't that bright either....seems that isn't much better (or is it worse?) in NHL 10. Dumping the puck can be a wasted effort as my teammates don't rush into the zone. Screening the goalie can be effective, but getting the CPU controlled players to do that can be a real chore.
Last night I played on Superstar and beat the Flames 3-2 using 13 minute periods. Seems like a good game right? Well, not so much. I outshot the CPU 50-19. Not a typo. The CPU offense was pathetic, and to top it all off they kept hacking at me post-whistle and putting me on the PP. Very unrealistic as they were trailing and in the 3rd period. Why take penalties to put themselves on the PK when they are losing? It got to the point that I tried to skate away from them post-whistle just so I wouldn't go on the PP. As cool of a concept as the post-whistle stuff is, it is very poorly done.
The fact that my games are still close despite the low CPU shot totals is another issue.
And for that matter, I still don't see a noticeable separation of player abilities depsite have the attribute slider maxed. Sure, Ovechkin and Crosby stand out --- but I can still work wonders in the offensive sone with Riley Cote.
Hopefully some of this can be patched or addressed in a tuning version update or something.Sorry for the rant...anyone else frustrated?

I will try the gamespeed slider tonight and see if that helps.
Try it out and let me know
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