EASHL Tips and Tricks from King Bling: Forward Edition!

No matter how late in the year it is, or how many EASHL games you have played, it’s always good to learn some more EASHL Skater Tips & Tricks to improve your overall gameplay.

Playing EASHL 6v6 at a high competitive level – thinking like a top player – doesn’t just come magically. It can take years of experience and many hours learning from top players to get there.

I decided to start this new series on my YouTube Channel called “EASHL Skater Tips & Tricks” breaking it down into five episodes discussing every Skater position. I threw in a twist to the series that hasn’t been done before by other YouTube channels, that I know of. That twist being, instead of me delivering the Tips & Tricks for every position, I thought why not get other top EASHL players and let them deliver the Tips & Tricks. That way you are getting the info from players who specialize in each position.

For this post, we’ll focus on the forward positions.

What Camera Angle To Use

Camera angles are critical when playing any Skater position; you want to have a good camera angle that is somewhat high up so you can read and react to all the plays. Therefore I would stay away from camera angles like Action or any other very close-up perspective. I prefer to use overhead.

Check out Pogge’s guide on all NHL 18 camera angles to help choose the one you are most comfortable using.

Left-Wing

In this episode we have Tcx7, a top EASHL Left-Winger, that plays on both consoles(Xbox/PlayStation) and is well-known in the community.

Tcx7 has played thousands of games over the years on Left-Wing, developing a play style described as “Fidgety”, where you are consistently moving around getting open for good opportunities and taking advantage of defenders who get caught watching the play. Consistently moving is critical as it may pull defenders out of position and get yourself in the open to make a play.

Entering The Zone

There is a little glitch in the game where your stick can go through the boards; you can use this to your advantage. Entering the zone on the left side of the ice, stay close to the boards holding the puck against the boards to protect it. If there is an overzealous Defenseman trying to poke check you, then it is likely this tactic will draw a penalty.

Playing Defense

When looking at the defense aspect of a Left-Winger in EASHL, playing zone coverage is recommended. When the opposite team has the puck in your defensive zone, it’s essential for you to do your job and cover the opposing team’s defenseman that is playing on your side. You don’t want to give them any point shots that could lead to deflections in front of the net and possibly goals.

When your team gets possession, you need to make yourself an option. You can’t just hang out near the other team’s defensemen because then you aren’t open. If you get the pass, the defense will often pinch, and the puck doesn’t have much of a chance clearing the zone. It’s your job to help get that puck out while the puck is on your side.

Breakouts

Staying low close to the boards near your defensemen giving them an easy breakout pass is often recommended. You don’t want to be too high up the ice as you’ll be leaving your defenseman out to dry and forcing them to attempt a hail mary pass through traffic.

Now keep in mind that staying high along the boards isn’t necessarily a bad thing to do as sometimes it will lead to great scoring opportunities, but you need to be careful and don’t take unnecessary risks if your team isn’t desperate for a goal.

Watch the play, and if you foresee a turnover while their defenseman isn’t staying back, then that is usually an excellent opportunity to leave the zone early and try to get that breakaway pass. Again, it is risky to leave the zone early so do so at your discretion.

Proper Positioning

When in the other teams offensive zone you will mainly play in the left corner, inside the circle, and in front of the net. When the puck goes into your corner, it is your job to get it out. You have a few options, the most common and best choices usually are:

• Carry the puck out and get a shot on net (your centermen or other winger should be there for a rebound)
• Look for a man in front of the net and set him up with a pass
• Look to see if the D is open if so give them the puck
• Carry the puck up the boards a bit and cycle it back

Watch These Tips & Tricks In Action:

Right-Wing

For Right-Wing we have B-Bunny, a top PlayStation player who is well-known in the community as he also happens to be an EA Sports NHL Game Changer. His playstyle has been described as “Opportunistic” and “Versatile.”

Right-Wing is very similar to left wing in all the foundational aspects, but of course, you’ll be on the right side. So the above Left-Wing tips and strategies still apply. No matter which wing you play, watching both videos will help:

Center

For Center, we have Primetimme, an EASHL Center that also plays on both consoles(Xbox and PlayStation). He’s been around for a few years now. Check out the episode below for some tips and tricks playing as a Center.

Faceoffs are one of the most important parts of playing as a Center in the EASHL; you need to sit down and learn all the Faceoffs and counters as you want to get your team possession of the puck as much as possible.

Just like when playing as a Winger, continually moving applies for when playing the Center position too but the only thing extra is that you have more space to cover. As a Center, you control both sides of the ice and therefore need to pay close attention to where the play is and where it may be going.

The one thing that I recommend not doing, when playing Center, is aggressively forechecking the opposing team’s defense when they have the puck in their zone. Let your wingers do the forechecking and just stay back covering the middle of the ice helping out your defense.

Offensive Zone

In the offensive zone, the centerman’s job is to offer support to the other team members. A good “general area” to hang out until you are needed is in the slot on whatever side the puck is on. Remember always to keep your feet moving; this makes it easier to get going when you need to.

When looking at breakouts, your job as a center is to stay close to your defensemen and give them a passing option when trying to break out of your zone. If you skate up too quickly and provide them with no support, then it will just make it harder for your team to breakout. A turnover in the defensive zone while trying to breakout has a very high chance of costing you on the scoreboard.