Developed by EA Vancouver and published by EA Sports, NHL 24 is the latest instalment in the popular NHL video game series and it wouldn’t be complete without the most successful and iconic team of all: the Montreal Canadiens.
Habs fans are in for a treat as this article will give tips and advice on how to play NHL 24 with the Montreal Canadiens’ strengths and strategies—especially for beginners. So, if you’re an NHL 24 newcomer and a fan of the Canadiens, we’ll help you improve your gameplay and learn how to improve your favorite team. Let’s go!
The Montreal Canadiens Style of Play
When you’re playing NHL 24, why wouldn’t you want to replicate the Montreal Canadiens’ style of play? As the oldest operating ice hockey team in the world—one that predates the NHL too—it’s easy to see why the Habs are so popular.
Besides their aged status, they’ve also been incredibly successful, having won the Stanley Cup an impressive 24 times, which is more than any other franchise. Key players on the current roster include 23-year-old right-winger Cole Caufield, 25-year-old center Nick Suzuki, and 23-year-old ex-Chicago Blackhawks player, Kirby Dach.
Playing to Their Strengths
The Canadiens are well known for their fast-paced style of play. Beginner players can replicate this agility in NHL 24 by making quick passes and sharp transitions while skating swiftly to try and outmaneuver opponents. Getting it right will create plenty of scoring opportunities for the players.
Speed and agility aside, the Montreal Canadiens are also renowned for their defensive strengths. In NHL 24, players can take advantage of the Canadiens’ defensive tactics by using solid positioning and smart checking. This will help you disrupt your opponents’ plays effectively to better protect your goal.
NHL 24 also allows you to reflect the Canadiens’ real-life strategies with their power play and penalty kill units. Their special teams can help you capitalize on opportunities and defend successfully during penalty kills.
NHL 24 Gameplay Mechanics
Like starting any new game, the first thing you need to get to grips with as an NHL 24 beginner is the basic controls. Spend some time learning how to maneuver your players, make passes, and take shorts before you start working on more advanced skills. The core skills you’ll need to familiarize yourself with include:
- Skating
- Passing
- Shooting
- Checking
With these mastered, learn when to switch players, how to perform dekes, and how use precision skating techniques.
If you’re new to NHL 24 but have played a previous instalment, you’ll find several new features this time around. These include updated AI software and an improved physics engine, which makes players’ interactions much more realistic—and that of the puck too.
The AI also makes your opponent appear more realistic (and challenging!) with more adaptive play styles and improved decision-making abilities. When you study these features, you’ll better understand how to anticipate opponent game dynamics so you can respond better when playing matches.
Strategies for Success
When you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to strategize and use the Montreal Canadiens’ strengths in your gameplay.
In terms of offensive strategies, you need to learn to create scoring opportunities. This means emulating the fast-paced offensive style of the franchise.
Your passing needs to be quick and precise for the puck to move efficiently up the ice. You can outmaneuver defenders by being agile and quick so you can set up your shots from high-percentage areas. With dekes and one-timers, you’ll also be able to break through any tough defenses to get the puck in the goal.
Of course, your defense is important too—and the Canadiens are also known for having strong defensive capabilities. Keep your defensive structure tight by positioning players to block passing lanes. This will limit scoring chances for the other side. Smart checking can also disrupt them, and you won’t take any unnecessary penalties for doing so. With your defenders in prime spots, you can prevent easy breakaways and protect your goal.
Don’t forget to consider your goaltender either. This last line of defense is crucial if you want to win games. The beauty of NHL 24 is that it allows you to control your goalie whenever you want, which means you can position your goalie to anticipate shots and cover different angles. The key to success is knowing when to take manual control over your goalie and when to let AI do the work!
NFL impact in gaming
The NFL has made a huge impact on gaming, The most notable of these games is EA sports’ Madden NFL series, which has had a huge following since its debut in 1988. This series gives players the ability to simulate real-world games or step into the shoes of their favorite athlete, putting to the test their franchise-building strategies.
Outside of the Madden series the NFL has found success with franchises in both mobile gaming and fantasy sports platforms. These games can range from casual arcade-style games to management sims. Fantasy Football is probably the largest of these.
The NFL has also expanded its brand into casino gaming, with the launch of several NFL-themed slot machines. These were created in partnership with Aristocrat Gaming, allowing players to select their favorite team from NFL’s 32 franchises. But while casino games are increasingly moving online, these franchise deals do a big part in keeping players interested in traditional games. Especially since the traditional games can’t offer players the same bonuses and promotions that make their online competition so popular, especially the evergreen no-deposit bonus (you can read more about these at CasinoTopsOnline).
Building and Managing Your Team in NHL 24
Like the Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, you’ll need to manage the roster effectively to succeed in NHL 24. When you play as the Montreal Canadiens, you can make the most of the team’s strength and potential by checking out player stats.
Line Chemistry and Player Development
As well as understanding individual players, line chemistry is important too. In NHL 24, you can pair players with complementary skills and styles, which will boost their effectiveness. Creating lines that mix up speed, skill, and physicality will help you replicate the real-life balance of the team.
Have a Blast with NHL 24 and Play Like the Canadiens
As any top Montreal Canadiens fan, you’ll want to get it right when starting NHL 24 as a beginner. Remember these key takeaways:
- Learn the basics of gameplay first and spend time getting used to the controls and movements.
- Use strategies to mimic the approach of the Canadiens. Go for a fast-paced style and use special teams.
- Manage your roster well and develop line chemistry.
Whether it’s victories you’re after or just a bit of fun, the Montreal Canadiens’ style is a great backdrop for your NHL 24 game. Go Habs go!