Figuring out the NHL 23 controls, especially for new players, can be pretty tough, depending on which setting you are using.
As the game gets closer to its launch, we're going to take a look at the controls for the game, including how to fight.
Let's take the ice and go over what you need to know this year.
NHL 23 Controls Guide
Releasing on October 14, 2022, we're going to get players prepared for the game by reviewing the NHL 23 controls.
There are so many things to look at when it comes to this game but experienced players will likely already have a good feel for the game.
We're going to take a look at the NHL 23 controls on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One along with the PlayStation controls which are the same but the button identification changes.
Here's a little guide to help when it comes to Skill Stick controls:
- LB becomes L1
- RB becomes R1
- LT becomes L2
- RB becomes R2
- A becomes X
- X becomes Square
- B becomes Circle
- Y becomes Triangle
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's take a look at the offensive controls for the game.
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NHL 23 Offensive Controls
There are some standard NHL 23 controls that you'll need to keep in mind when you first start playing the game.
These controls usually end up being the same each year and across the Skill Stick, NHL 94, and Hybrid controls.
Here are the full offensive controls for NHL 23:
- 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 RTPass (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
- Cancel Pass While Holding - LB
These aren't the only important NHL 23 controls that you'll need as there are more specific controls for various offensive moves such as Toe Drags, Tucks, and Dekes.
These controls are pretty complicated so hopefully, the image above will help you out a bit when it comes to practicing these moves.
- 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
- Lacrosse Flip Pass - Forehand +LB (hold) + Right Stick (hold) + RB (hold) +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
There's only one additional move this year from the controls in NHL 22 which is the Lacrosse Flip Pass. Use the Free Skate mode to practice these moves.
Now, let's take a look at the face-off controls.
Face Off Controls (NHL 23)
The Face Off controls are pretty simple this year and won't take a whole lot of time to learn but as we mentioned, the Free Skate area will help.
The following NHL 23 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
Now that we've gone over the Face Off details in NHL 23, let's take a look at the defensive controls.
Defensive NHL 23 Controls
The defensive NHL 23 controls are also pretty standard and shouldn't take much time for you to get used to.
We've taken a look at a lot of NHL 23 controls so far and the defensive controls have one additional feature that wasn't in NHL 22.
- 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
- Desparation Clear - Right Stick Up (Double Tap)
- 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 in NHL 23
Some players actually enjoy playing as the goalie through various game modes, especially Online Co-Op, so we're going to take a look at those controls too.
In the image above you'll see the general controls but will have the full list of NHL 23 controls for the goalie below, including a new addition.
- Pull/Replace Goalie - Press LB and press the Back button
- Toggle Manual Goalie - Press LB and press A
- Move Goalie - Move Left Stick
- Hustle - Press 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
We're almost done with all of the NHL 23 controls but we have one more category to go over, Fighting.
Fighting Controls in NHL 23
As always, fighting your opponent is going to be apart of the challenge so we've got to go over the fighting NHL 23 controls.
- 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
Keep an eye out for all of the guides that we'll create not just for the controls but everything inside of NHL 23.