Getting to know the NHL 22 Controls can make a big difference in your experience as you start out this year's hockey installment.
We've got everything you need to know about NHL 22 Controls for Offense, Defense, Faceoff, Goalie, and even Fighting.
NHL 22 Controls Guide
NHL 22 is here, and the next step in hockey gaming has got a relatively similar control scheme as it's had in recent years.
With so many aspects of the game to look at, let's dive in to the various NHL 22 Controls you'll need to know to win when it matters.
As a note, this Controls Guide is based on the NHL 22 Controls on Xbox, but they should be relatively the same on PS4 and PS5.
In general, the following changes apply when comparing Xbox controls to PlayStation ones:
- LB becomes L1
- RB becomes R1
- LT becomes L2
- RB becomes R2
- A becomes X
- X becomes Square
- B becomes Circle
- Y becomes Triangle
Offense Controls
First, we'll go over the various Offense Controls you'll be using when in control of the puck in NHL 22, which you can see a general view of below.
Now the full Offense Controls for NHL 22:
- Skating / Shot & Pass Aim - Move Left Stick
- Hustle - Press Left Stick
- Glide - Release Left Stick
- Vision Control - Hold LT
- Wind Up / Shoot - Move Right Stick down and then up
- Fake Shot - Move Right Stick down and then release
- Pass - Press RT
- Pass (Hold for more strength) - Hold RT
- Win Faceoff - Move Right Stick
- Saucer Pass - Press RB
- Deke - Move Right Stick to the left or right
- One-Touch Dekes - Move Left Stick + LB
- Spin - LT
- Leg Kick - Press Right Stick
- Reverse Hit/Brace - Press A while in a glide
- Protect Puck - Hold A
- Dump Puck - Press RB and move the Right Stick up
- Chop Puck - Press Right Stick and then move Right Stick
- Quick Plays - Directional Pad
- Offensive Line Change - Press X
- Defensive Line Change - Press B
- Boardplay - Hold Y when near boards
In addition, the following Offense Controls go into more complicated puck control, deking, passing, and shooting.
Due to the complicated nature of some of these moves, we've provided the image above from the game's controls and descriptions of each move below.
- Backhand Toe Drag - Press Right Stick and move Right Stick down
- Backhand Toe Drag Flip - Press Right Stick, move Right Stick Down, and Press RB
- Backhand Toe Drag Shot - Press Right Stick, move Right Stick down, and move Right Stick up
- Backhand Toe Drag Pass - Press Right Stick, move Right Stick down, and press RT
- LH One Hand Deke - Backhand, press LB, and move the Right Stick diagonally to the top upper right then rotate around to the top upper left
- RH One Hand Deke - Backand, press LB, and move the Right Stick diagonally to the top upper left then rotate around to the top upper right
- One Handed Tuck - Backhand/Forehand, press LB, and press RB
- Between-the-Legs Shot - Press LB, press Right Stick, and move Right Stick up
- Between-the-Legs Pass - Press LB, press Right Stick, and press RT
- Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass - Press LB, press Right Stick, and press RB
- Slip Deke - Press LB when near boards
- Drop Pass - Press RB while not moving the Left Stick
- Board-bank Self-pass - Press LB and RT while near boards
- Behind-the-Net Self-pass - Press LB and RT while behind net
- Flip Deke - Backhand/Forehand, press LB, and press RT
- Lacrosse Deke - Forehand, hold LB, hold Right Stick pressed, and then move Right Stick diagonally down to the bottom left and rotate around to the bottom right
- Stride Deke - Press LB and move Left Stick to the left or right
- Fake Deke - Stride Deke with Forehand and move Right Stick to Backhand
- Backhand Tap Back Deke - Move Right Stick to the right, press LB, move Right Stick to the left, move Left Stick to the Right, move Right Stick to the Right
- Forehand Tap Back Deke - Move Right Stick diagonally down to the bottom left and around to the bottom right, press LB, move Right Stick to the right, move Left Stick to the left, move Right Stick to the left
- Jump Deke - Press LB and move Right Stick up
- Skate Kick Deke - Press LB and move Right Stick down
- Through The Legs Deke - Press LB and move Right Stick diagonally down to the bottom left then around to the bottom right
Of course, you won't be spending the whole game with the puck, as much as we'd all surely like to.
Faceoff Controls
While the faceoff won't be the thing you're doing most, knowing how to nail it can give you an edge in crucial moments.
The following NHL 22 Controls apply during a faceoff:
- Select Grip - Move Right Stick to the left or right
- Tie-Up - Move Left Stick up
- Stick Lift - Move Right Stick up
- Win Straight Back - Move Tight Stick down
- Faceoff Shot - Move Right Stick up without grip
- Faceoff Deke - Press LB and move Right Stick up without grip
Defense Controls
Next we'll look at the various Defense Controls you'll need to use in NHL 22, starting with an overview as seen below.
And now the full NHL 22 Controls for Defense:
- Skate - Move Left Stick
- Switch Player - Press RT
- Manual Switch Player - Hold RT and move Right Stick
- Cancel Manual Switch Player - Hold RT and press LB
- Manual Switch Player (Last Man back) - Hold RT and press Right Stick
- Vision Control - Hold LT
- Body Check - Move Right Stick
- Poke Check - Press RB
- Sweep Stick - Hold RB and move Right Stick
- Chop Puck - Press Right Stick and move Right Stick
- Pass Block+Sweep Stick - Press LB and move Right Stick to left or right
- Stick Lift - Press A
- Hip Check - Press Right Stick and press LB
- Block Pass - Press LB
- Dive / Block - Press LB and press RB
- Initiate / Accept Fight - Double Tap Y
- Boardplay - Hold Y when near boards
- Initiate Net Battle - Hold Y when in open ice
- Quick Plays - Directional Pad
- Offensive Line Change - Press X
- Defensive Line Change - Press B
- Tie Up Players Stick - Hold A
Goalie Controls
While it's still part of defense, you'll find a different set of challenges and ways to play if you're controlling the Goalie.
The general controls can be seen above, and you'll find the detailed NHL 22 Controls for Goalie below:
- Pull/Replace Goalie - Press LB and press the Back button
- Toggle Manual Goalie - Press LB and press A
- Move Goalie - Move Left Stick
- Butterfly - Hold RT
- Paddle Down - Hold RT and press A
- Hug Post Left - Press LB and move Left Stick to the left
- Hug Post Right - Press LB and move Left Stick to the right
- Hug Post (VH) - Press LB, move Left Stick to the left or right, and press RT
- Precision Modifier - Press LT
- Diving Save - Press X and move Left Stick to the left or right
- Diving Poke Check - Press X and move Left Stick up
- Spread V - Move Right Stick away from Puck
- Stack Pads - Press B and move Left Stick to the left or right
- Butterfly Slides - Move Right Stick lateral to Puck
- Poke Check - Move Right Stick up
- Change Camera View - Press the Back button
- Cover Puck - Hold Y
- Free Skate - Press A
- Dump Puck - Move Right Stick up
- Pass Puck - Press RT
- Leave Puck for Teammate - Press LT
Fighting Controls
Lastly, there are of course detailed NHL 22 controls for fighting, because this is still hockey.
- Grab - Hold LT
- Fake Grab - Press LT
- Overhand Punch - Move Right Stick up
- Uppercut - Move Right Stick down
- Push - Move Left Stick up
- Pull - Move Left Stick down
- Block/Lean Back - Hold RT
- Dodge - Press RT