[Qb]

In my hour or so with the demo, something I saw from the CPU I like is their desire to create chances at the net. The last year I played a lot against the CPU was NHL13, but I remember the CPU being much more perimeter-oriented, content to pass it around with a high cycle and shoot from the blueline.

Now they seem to want to work the puck lower in the zone and will take any chance to carry or pass it to the net. Of course, some of that is due to some lackluster help D, but the offensive aggressiveness itself is good. And when I was able to keep everyone in position, the CPU would then start to move the puck around until something opened up.

I'm hoping to get a lot more time in this weekend. Initially, I like the revamped skating & stickhandling, getting closer to lifelike. It still produces some weird actions, but both are more deliberate and "stiffer" as someone said early on. Hopefully they keep it that way and don't give in to calls for more "responsiveness". And as I said above, the AI on both sides seems more net-focused in chance creation.

It's disappointing to see the CPU still give up the neutral zone & blueline so often, and in some cases when they shouldn't. Seeing two D-men backskate to the faceoff circles when an unsupported puck carrier comes at them is so frustrating. It's one thing with even numbers at speed or certainly on an odd-man rush, but more situational aggression from the D and, this part usually isn't discussed, more backside pressure from the forwards are sorely needed.

They've been able to put up a decent forecheck since '13, but that doesn't seem to happen further up the ice. A lot of times, it's like the CPU just retreats once you reach the NZ, rather than challenging as a unit to force turnovers and dump-ins. Some of this is related to strategies -- the 1-2-2 blue causes the D to sink back too much -- and settings -- cranking aggression to 5 or 6 does help -- but I fear some of it is just by design.