NHL 22 is introducing X Factors this year for the first time, and it's a big step forward for the franchise that will surely affect Shooting most of all.
If you're looking to get the puck into the net more often, we've got details on all the Shooting X Factors in NHL 22 and every player that has one of these X Factor Abilities.
NHL 22: All Shooting X Factors & Players
While 50 different players earned an X Factor ability in NHL 22, not all of them pertain to shooting and many of those X Factors are unlocked by multiple players.
In total, there are 7 different X Factors specific to Shooting in NHL 22, each of which offers a unique boost to certain stats or particular bonus for specific kinds of shots or moves.
Here, we'll take a look at all seven Shooting X Factors, what they actually do, and detail every player that will have it at launch.
Make It Snappy
The official description for this X Factor is: "Get a huge boost to power and accuracy when taking snap shots while skating."
This should play heavily into anyone who prefers to be a mobile shooter, allowing you to pop a snap shot off with precision and force.
The following players will have Make It Snappy as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- Artemi Panarin
- Nikita Kucherov
- Brad Marchand
- Alex Debrincat
- Jake Eichel
Shnipe
The official description for this X Factor is: "Settle shots more easily and get additional accuracy and power on shots after settling. Keep calm and place your shots."
This ability should lend itself more to shooters who need to get positioned rather than making their shots on the move.
The following players will have Shnipe as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- David Pastrnak
- Jake Guentzel
- Mark Scheifele
One Tee
The official description for this X Factor is: "Blast one-timers into the net. Get increased power and accuracy on one-time shots, even if the pass from your teammate was...less than ideal."
The final few words seem most key here, as you could cover for having flawed passing from teammates by having a player with the One Tee X Factor receiving those passes.
The following players will have One Tee as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- Alexander Ovechkin
- Steven Stamkos
Thunderclap
The official description for this X Factor is: "They'll hear the buzzer before they even see the puck. Get extra power and accuracy on slap shots from the point when this ability is activated."
If you're looking to make slap shots the focus of your scoring, Thunderclap is the ability that will help you out at the point.
The following players will have Thunderclap as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- John Carlson
Heatseeker
The official description for this X Factor is: "Find the twine with massively increased power and accuracy on wrist and snap shots from the point. Get that perfect placement and speed, even from distance."
Like Thunderclap, Heatseeker is specific to the point, so make sure you're there when you're trying to take advantage of these.
The following players will have Heatseeker as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- Shea Theodore
- Dougie Hamilton
Beauty Backhand
The official description for this X Factor is: "Show off your elite skills and get enhanced power and accuracy for all your backhand shots."
If the backhand shot is your bread and butter, Beauty Backhand is going to be there to help those slip by the goalie and into the net.
The following players will have Beauty Backhand as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- Sidney Crosby
Shock and Awe
The official description for this X Factor is: "Get exceptional power and accuracy shooting out of, or shortly after, a successful deke."
If you're effective with deking in NHL 22, pairing that with this X Factor could help you become a scoring monster after each deke.
The following players will have Shock and Awe as an X Factor in NHL 22:
- Auston Matthews
It's no shocker that the official NHL 22 Cover Athlete got his own X Factor, and it could be a powerful one this year.