EA SPORTS NHL 23 is greater together. Get the best players in the world on one lineup with the introduction of mixed womens and mens teams in HUT. Arriving as post-launch updates, cross-platform matchmaking for players on the same platform generation in HUT and WOC means deeper player pools, shorter queue times, and more teams for your squad to square up against. And now, add to your highlight reel with over 500 new Last Chance Puck Movement gameplay animations that let you control how a play unfolds after any level of contact is taken, from performing passes out of stumbles to desperation shots from the ice. Plus, overhauled strategy systems allow you to easily gameplan and finetune your playmaking skills. So grab your friends and gear up for the most dynamic, connected, and visually rich Chel experience yet.

Pre-order EA SPORTS™ NHL® 23 Standard Edition and receive:

X-Factor Women HUT Choice Pack (1 of 4)
5 World of Chel X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks (Instant)
Signed Sarah Nurse World of Chel Jersey (Digital)
Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks (2), XP Boost, and Bonus Trait Points

GAMEPLAY:

CROSS-PLATFORM MATCHMAKING
Currently planned as post-launch updates, cross-platform matchmaking across same-generation consoles for HUT and World of Chel will shorten queue times and create deeper player pools so you and your crew can test your mettle against more teams than ever.
LAST CHANCE PUCK MOVEMENT
A new series of desperation gameplay animations add a new layer of authenticity and excitement to the game.

Stumble Actions: Attempt a pass or shot after taking any level of contact. These desperation moves are the foundation of epic, highlight-reel moments and ensure youre never out of play. And with over 500 Stumble Action animations, each moment feels just as exciting as the last.
Loose Puck Plays: Turn any loose puck into an opportunity by double-tapping pass or shoot to dive into incredible plays to score or clear the puck.
Enhanced Goalie AI: Using the Human goalie system, AI Goalies now have access to more than 50 new Human Desperation Save groups, equaling over 350 new save animations.

X-FACTOR UPDATES

New X-Factor Animations: Trevor Zegras “Skilled Up” lets you recreate his viral flip pass over the net, and Sarah Nurses “Relentless” increases the players ability to shoot and pass while off balance.
X-Factor AI Upgrades: Smarter AI means better playmaking, with AI players using enhanced X-Factors to be more impactful on the ice and akin to their real-world counterparts.

ASSISTED STRATEGIES
Gameplay strategies have been updated across the board to make it easier to understand and execute the best game plans for your desired playstyle. Whats on deck:

Two New Modern Special Team Strategies: Staple NHL strategies The Wedge (1-1-2), Penalty Kill, and the 1-3-1 Power Play are now in the player toolkit. Along with refreshed existing special team strategies to ensure they feel more like whats seen in modern NHL games.
Player Roles on the Power Play: You can now assign these three different roles on their Power Play: Distributor, Finisher, and Puck carrier. Players with assigned roles will be known to the AI, and the AI will know to distribute the puck to them based on position, situation, and X-Factor tendencies.
New Instructional Videos: Carrlyn Bathe breaks down the intricacies of Penalty Kill and Power Play strategies in a series of new videos.

PRESENTATION:

CELEBRATIONS

Stanley Cup Celly: A new interactive Stanley Cup celebration gives you additional agency when its time to recognize their big win in Franchise mode. Choose who hoists the cup first, etch your name into its side, and more.
Hattricks: The iconic hattrick hat throw returns, along with the ability for you to customize your teams hattrick celebrations.
Big-time Moments: A series of new game-ending animations for those high-adrenaline moments like come-from-behind, OT, shootout, and playoff game victories.
Light Show: New and authentic post-goal light shows for NHL teams.

ON-ICE PROJECTIONS:

All new projections for game intros.
Authentic projections from several NHL teams in offline mode.
11 different customizable intros for EASHL and offline.
11 new national anthem presentations for offline, IIHF, and online create modes.

CROWD & ATMOSPHERE
In a complete overhaul of crowd intelligence and audio, the folks in the stands now understand and react to whats happening in the game. Thanks to our new Crowd Engagement Score algorithm, expect to be showered in cheers after winning a tense shootout and booed into the penalty box when you foul an opponent on their home ice.
LEADERBOARDS
Dynamic new on-ice AR leaderboards for all online and offline modes give live updates on player and team statistics as they move up the rankings.
FROSTBITE ENGINE
The Frostbite engine continues to power EA SPORTS NHL 23 with unrivaled graphics upgrades for console games. From dynamic lighting and overhauled character fidelity to realistic strand hair and cloth animations—Frostbite brings the action to life.

GAME MODES:

HOCKEY ULTIMATE TEAM

Cross-Platform Matchmaking: Currently planned as a post-launch update, cross-platform matchmaking in HUT across same-generation consoles will speed up wait times and bring in even more teams for you and your squad to square up against.
HUT Rivals Playlist: In a complete refresh of HUT Rivals, the arrival of HUT Rivals Playlist lets players compete in a variety of new rotating game themes.
HUT Rivals Rewards: Following feedback from our community, you can now unlock three additional tiers of rewards based on Win or Win Streaks, which will be granted immediately.
IIHF Womens National Team Integration: In a historic update, IIHF Womens National Team members can now play alongside men in a HUT lineup, allowing you to make your dream team of the sports best players a reality. Plus, national team players will have both base and master items incorporated into events.

FRANCHISE
Historic Level of Customization: In a significant update to Franchise Mode, players can now customize their league in a multitude of new ways, including:

Set the number of teams from 6-48.
Set the number of games played from 6-84.
Set the number of divisions and conferences.
Set the number of division, conference, and inter-conference games.
Set the number of playoff and wildcard rounds.
Customize the number of playoff games in a series and round.
Control the number of home and away games for each playoff series.
Control the leagues min/max salary cap and individual player salaries.

This historic level of customization, along with roster sharing, allows players to model their leagues after their favourite years and seasons, from the Original Six to the high-flying ‘80s.

EA SPORTS HOCKEY LEAGUE (EASHL)

Cross-Platform Matchmaking: Currently planned for November 2022, cross-platform matchmaking in WOC across same-generation consoles will speed up wait times and bring in even more teams for you and your squad to scrap over the “dub” with.
Assisted Strategies: New gameplay strategies help players understand and execute the right strategies for their desired playstyle for a richer, more efficient in-game experience.
New X-Factor Abilities: Open up a deeper level of playstyle customization with the game-changing impact of new X-Factor Abilities.
Creation Zone Updates: Customize your teams arena, celebrations, and on-ice projections with more control than ever before.

CONTENT MIGRATION:
Players who start playing NHL 23 on PlayStation®4 or Xbox One will be able to transfer their HUT Team value and progress to the next generation of their respective platforms in PlayStation®5 or Xbox Series X|S. This migration means that within the NHL 23 title:

Players can protect 20 player items + Coach in their current lineup and transfer those over to a new console.
Once content is transferred from PlayStation®4 to PlayStation®5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S, that content on Gen4 will be converted to untradable for security reasons.
Any coins and items remaining in your collection will be given a similar value in Tradeable Packs to start on your new generation account.

This one-time content migration will be available on a November 8th update.

*Requires Xbox Live Gold membership to access online multiplayer.