NHL 26 is here, and the first thing you will notice when you get on the ice is that scoring feels different. The skating engine is more refined, the controls are sharper, and the goalie AI reacts more realistically. This makes learning how to score goals more important than ever. Whether you are jumping into Hockey Ultimate Team, playing EASHL with friends, or facing off in offline matches, understanding the mechanics behind scoring will help you stay competitive.
This guide will walk you through the most effective ways to score in NHL 26, how to execute each move, and what to focus on in practice. The goal is not just to give you tricks to exploit the game, but to build a reliable scoring toolkit that works in real situations.
NHL 26 Guide: How to Score Goals Consistently
Mastering the Analog Stick Control
The single most important skill in NHL 26 is learning how to control the left analog stick. Many players get caught up with fancy stickhandling on the right stick, but without proper movement from the left, you will not create scoring chances.
Think of the left stick as your foundation. It controls your skating, your angles, and most importantly, it controls how the goalie reacts. Every time you shift left to right, you force the goalie to move. Once the goalie starts to move, you create openings.
Spend your early practice time focusing only on skating. Forget the dekes and the shots for now. Just work on gliding across the slot, cutting back toward the middle, and learning how much space you can create by simply adjusting direction. Once this feels natural, you can layer in the right stick to add finishing touches.
tip
Practice basic left-right movement without touching your right stick first. You'll notice how goalies react to your skating patterns alone.
The Backhand-Forehand-Backhand
This is one of the most consistent moves in NHL 26 and a go-to method when you need a goal. It combines movement and deception, which makes it effective against both AI and human-controlled goalies.
NHL 26 Guide: How to Score Goals Consistently
Setup Phase:
- Approach from either wing at moderate speed
- Hold your right analog stick to position the puck on your backhand
- Use your left analog stick to cut toward the slot
Execution Phase:
- Maintain backhand position while skating to center ice
- Quickly switch to forehand as you reach the prime scoring area
- Immediately return to backhand for the final shot
The goalie will commit to your initial movement, leaving the far side exposed when you complete the sequence.
The Corner Drag
When you gain possession near the goal line, this move creates high-percentage scoring chances:
Key Steps:
- Skate behind or alongside the net with speed
- Hold the puck on your forehand using the right stick
- Cut sharply toward the front of the net with your left stick
- Aim for the top shelf as the goalie drops low
The goaltender typically anticipates a wrap-around attempt and positions low, leaving the upper portion of the net vulnerable.
NHL 26 Guide: How to Score Goals Consistently
The Datsyuk Deke
For players who want to add flair to their game, NHL 26 includes the Datsyuk-style deke. It is more difficult to execute and not always reliable, but when it works, it creates highlight-reel moments.
NHL 26 Guide: How to Score Goals Consistently
Controller Input:
- Press and hold R3 + Down to initiate the deke
- Press R1/RB to complete the move with a backhand flip
Timing Considerations:
- Begin the deke just outside the crease
- Maintain distance from the goaltender to avoid contact
- Works best on breakaways or partial breakaways
warning
This move has approximately 50% success rate and requires practice to master the timing.
Wraparounds from Behind the Net
The wraparound has always been an effective move in the NHL series, and in NHL 26 it remains a strong option. Skating behind the net forces the goalie into an awkward position. If you cut out front quickly, they cannot slide across in time.
Execute Phase:
- Maintain forehand puck control
- Skate quickly around either post
- Cut to the front of the net before defenders can react
- Shoot low to the far post
Goalies struggle to track the puck and reposition quickly enough when you execute this move with proper speed.
Shooting Mechanics and Target Selection
Understanding where to aim based on goaltender positioning dramatically improves your scoring efficiency:
Top Glove Side:
- Most effective after lateral movement
- Target when goalie is moving across the crease
- Success rate increases with elevation
Low Far Post:
- Ideal for wraparound situations
- Effective when goalie commits to near post
- Works well from sharp angles
Five-Hole:
- Opportunistic shots when goalie is transitioning
- Most effective during scrambles
- Requires quick release
important
Avoid predictable shooting patterns. Goalies adapt to repeated attempts in the same location.
Defending Against Scoring Moves
Knowing how to score is only half the battle. You also need to prevent opponents from scoring on you with the same tricks.
The first rule is not to chase hits. Going for the big body check almost always leaves you out of position, and skilled players will skate around you. Instead, focus on using stick checks to keep players wide. Holding R1 or RB is enough to angle them off and take away the best lanes.
Another important tip is to control the area behind your net. Many players will try wraparounds or cutouts from that position. If you keep them trapped behind the goal line, you remove one of the highest-percentage scoring chances in the game.
Staying disciplined is key. Do not overcommit. If you keep your positioning solid, the goalie can handle most basic shots. Your job is to take away high-danger moves like cuts to the slot or quick forehand-backhand transitions.