Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to NHL games, knowing how to start a fight in NHL 22 can add excitement and depth to your gameplay.
Fighting in hockey may not be for everybody, but it’s an integral part of the real-life game that is accurately represented in NHL 22. It can also provide a release of tension during heated matches, and sometimes even shift momentum in your team’s favor.
In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of starting fights in NHL 22, including when and where they can happen, what triggers them, and some tips on how to maximize your chances of coming out on top.
“It’s interesting what we find entertaining,” says Rick Tocchet, former NHL player and coach. “Fighting is entertainment whether people want to admit it or not.”
If you’ve never fought before in NHL 22, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. We’ll explain everything from the controls needed to initiate a fight, to strategies on taking down opponents with ease.
So if you’re ready to add a little extra edge to your gameplay and learn how to start a fight in NHL 22, read on!
Get Physical
Push Your Limits
If you want to start a fight in NHL 22, you need to be aggressive and physical on the ice. Check your opponents hard into the boards, use your body to separate them from the puck, and get in their face after the whistle to try and draw them into a confrontation.
To push your limits, you’ll need to focus on building strength and endurance through rigorous training both on and off the ice. Incorporate exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and lunges into your routine to build overall strength, and make sure to include interval training and cardio work to improve your conditioning and stamina.
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” -Tommy Lasorda
You can also work on improving your skating ability, as faster skaters are often able to use their speed to avoid hits or escape fights. Practice quick starts, stops, turns, and crossovers to increase your mobility and agility, and work on perfecting your stride to move across the ice with maximum efficiency.
Use Your Body to Your Advantage
In NHL 22, it’s important to use your size and physical presence to intimidate your opponents and establish yourself as a force on the ice. Make sure that you’re using your body to shield the puck effectively, and don’t be afraid to throw your weight around if it means gaining an advantage over your opponent.
When defending against an opposing player, position yourself in such a way that makes it difficult for them to make a move or find open space. Use your stick and body positioning to keep them out of high-scoring areas and limit their opportunities to generate scoring chances.
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” -John F. Kennedy
To master physical play in NHL 22, you’ll need to be aware of your surroundings at all times and stay disciplined in your defensive assignments. Don’t get caught out of position chasing big hits or stray too far from your own zone, as this can lead to odd-man rushes and scoring opportunities for your opponent.
Starting a fight in NHL 22 requires more than just brute force. Successful players are able to balance their aggression with discipline, strategy, and skillful play on both sides of the puck. So if you want to succeed in the game (and avoid getting kicked out of it), focus on honing your skills and using them effectively to dominate your opponents.
Master the Controls
If you want to start a fight in NHL 22, it’s important to master the game controls first. This will help you execute moves confidently and accurately during your fights.
Learn the Basics
The right stick is used for punching. If you press up or down on the right stick, your character will punch their opponent. Meanwhile, pressing left or right on the right stick indicates cross punches that can work well for sneaking quick hits against opponents.
You need to defend yourself too. You activate blocking by holding down L1/LB. Your player can also dodge attacks using the left stick. This move requires some practice since it’s tricky to evade contact while maintaining close proximity to your opponent.
Practice Makes Perfect
To get better at fighting, you should play practice matches repeatedly. During these games, pick out especially combative characters, those with strong physical attributes as they’ll improve your skills quickly.
The best place to train or perform drills would be the “Be A Pro” mode. In this mode, you create an avatar who plays within professional hockey teams. The avatar will gain experience points from played games, which helps unlock skill improvements such as stronger wrist shots, quicker reaction times, and even fighting proficiency.
Customize Your Settings
Your controller scheme might differ from other players so it’s essential to customize each of your settings accordingly. Find button combos that come more naturally to your hands. Go to “Controller settings,” adjust strikes’ strength setting, enable auto-takeover upon knockdowns if needed, etc. Customizing gameplay features according to personal preferences allows for an excellent player experience.
Use Advanced Techniques
In NHL 22, advanced techniques in fighting can be helpful for delivering strategic combinations of jabs, uppercuts, pulls, and shoves.
One technique involves holding L1/LB while moving the right stick to perform a counter-punch or force back the attacker. Additionally, gaining momentum with (R2/RT) allows your player to deliver significantly more punch strength than normally possible.
“Fighting is like champagne, it goes down smoothly and helps heal some wounds.” -Enforcer Mike Tyson
There’s so much to learn when starting a fight in NHL 22; however, mastering controls should always take priority before engaging combatively on the virtual ice. Through steady practice, customization, patience, and skillful maneuvering during conflicts, gamers of all levels will start winning these battles in no time.
Target the Right Player
If you want to start a fight in NHL 22, targeting the right player is crucial. Not all players are willing to drop the gloves, and some may not be worth your time or energy.
Identify Your Opponent’s Weaknesses
Before attempting to start a fight, it’s important to identify your opponent’s weaknesses. This could be their physical ability, temperament, fatigue level, or any other factors that could give you an advantage. Use this information to plan your approach and target areas where they may be vulnerable.
“It’s about picking your spots. Sometimes fighting isn’t necessary, but when it is, you’ve got to make sure it’s at the right time, against the right guy.” -Matt Martin
Study Your Opponent’s Style
Additionally, studying your opponent’s style can also help determine whether or not they will engage in a fight. If they are known for being overly aggressive on the ice, they may be more likely to drop the gloves. However, if they have a reputation for being a skilled playmaker, they may be less inclined to engage in fisticuffs.
Another factor to consider is their size and strength compared to yours. Picking a fight with someone significantly larger or stronger than you could result in injury, so it’s important to evaluate these factors before making a move.
“Fighting definitely takes a lot out of you…you don’t want to just go after anyone. You want to find guys that you know might tire themselves out early on in the game and then challenge them later in the game.” -Tanner Glass
Choose Your Battles Wisely
Choosing your battles wisely is paramount in starting a fight successfully. Assess the situation, take note of your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and then make an informed decision whether or not to engage in a physical confrontation.
It’s also important to consider the context of the game. Starting a fight during a critical moment when your team could potentially lose points or be penalized may not be worth the risk.
“When you go out there, it’s all about having respect for yourself and for your teammates…you can’t be selfish about it. You have to pick your spots very wisely.” -Colton Orr
Starting a fight in NHL 22 requires strategy, patience, and careful consideration. Identifying the right player, studying their style, and choosing your battles wisely can help increase your chances of success. However, always remember to prioritize safety and respect on the ice.
Antagonize Your Opponent
If you’re looking to start a fight in NHL 22, antagonizing your opponent is one way to do it. However, it’s important to remember that this tactic can also backfire and result in penalties or even suspensions. Here are some ways to effectively antagonize your opponent without crossing the line:
Psych Out Your Opponent
One way to get under your opponent’s skin is to try and psych them out before the game even starts. This might include trash talk during warmups or staring them down during the pre-game skate. By doing so, you may be able to gain a mental edge over your opponent and throw them off their game.
“I think a lot of it is just trying to establish yourself as an intimidating presence,” says former NHL player Ryan Whitney in an interview with Barstool Sports. “Getting someone mentally rattled before the game even started was kind of an art form.”
Use Trash Talk to Your Advantage
Trash talk is a common practice in sports and can be an effective way to rile up your opponent. However, there is a fine line between playful banter and offensive comments. Avoid using derogatory language or attacking players on a personal level.
In an article for The New York Times, retired NHL enforcer Georges Laraque explains that he would often use humor to lighten the mood when engaging in trash talk. “If I’m fighting someone who has never fought before, I’ll go say: ‘Are you sure about this? You know I have two black belts in karate?’ Then the guy will laugh and ease up a bit.”
- Tips for Effective Trash Talk:
- – Keep things light-hearted and avoid crossing the line
- – Use humor to disarm your opponent
- – Avoid personal attacks or derogatory language
Remember, while trash talk can be an effective way to throw off your opponent, it’s important to remain respectful on the ice. Crossing the line can result in penalties and suspensions, which will ultimately hurt your team.
“It’s like playing poker,” says former NHL player Brian Skrudland in an interview with The New York Times. “You have to understand when you’re dealing with people who are going to bait you.”
Antagonizing your opponent in NHL 22 is a risky strategy that should only be used strategically and within the confines of fair play. By psyching out your opponent and using trash talk to your advantage, you may be able to gain a mental edge over your adversary. However, it’s important to remember that crossing the line can result in serious consequences.
Take Advantage of Momentum Swings
Stay Focused During Momentum Shifts
In NHL 22, momentum can shift quickly. One minute you could be dominating the game, and the next your opponent has turned things around completely. It’s important to stay focused during these shifts in momentum and not let them get the better of you.
When you notice a shift, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s just part of the game. Focus on what you need to do to turn the tide back in your favor, whether it’s tightening up defensively or pushing harder offensively.
“The most important thing is to stay calm and continue to play your game,” says Wayne Gretzky, legendary NHL player and coach.
Seize Control During Momentum Swings
If you want to start a fight in NHL 22, taking advantage of a momentum swing can be a good place to start. When you’ve got your opponent on the back foot, they may be more likely to engage in physical altercations.
Of course, we don’t condone fighting as a means of winning a hockey game. But if you do find yourself in a fight, make sure it’s for the right reasons – defending a teammate or standing up for yourself when provoked – and not just because you’re trying to hold onto the lead.
“I wouldn’t say players go out looking for fights, but I know from experience that having that toughness on the bench can be an important factor in helping your team win games,” says Brendan Shanahan, former NHL player and current Senior VP of Hockey Operations at the NHL.
The best way to seize control during a momentum swing is to keep playing your game. Stick to your strategy, communicate with your teammates, and stay disciplined.
If you can weather the storm during a shift in momentum and come out on the other side with control of the game, you’re well on your way to success in NHL 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic controls for starting a fight in NHL 22?
To start a fight in NHL 22, press and hold the right stick in any direction. Your player will drop his gloves and initiate the fight. You can also press the Y/Triangle button to challenge an opposing player to a fight.
Can you start a fight with any player on the opposing team?
You can start a fight with any player on the opposing team in NHL 22, as long as they are not already engaged in a fight with another player. However, some players may be less likely to accept a fight challenge based on their fighting skill or their team’s strategy.
How do you increase your player’s fighting skill in NHL 22?
You can increase your player’s fighting skill in NHL 22 by participating in fights and winning them. This will earn your player experience and improve their fighting ability. You can also equip your player with gear that boosts their fighting skill.
What are some tips for winning a fight in NHL 22?
Some tips for winning a fight in NHL 22 include dodging your opponent’s punches and timing your own punches for maximum impact. You can also try to tire out your opponent by blocking their punches and waiting for them to make a mistake. Finally, make sure to watch your player’s stamina and health during the fight.
Is there a penalty for starting a fight in NHL 22?
Yes, there is a penalty for starting a fight in NHL 22. Your player will receive a minor penalty for roughing, which will result in them spending two minutes in the penalty box. If your player starts a fight while they are already serving a penalty, they will receive an additional two-minute penalty.
Can you start a fight in online multiplayer mode in NHL 22?
Yes, you can start a fight in online multiplayer mode in NHL 22. However, keep in mind that some leagues or tournaments may have rules against fighting, and starting a fight could result in a penalty or disqualification. Always check the rules before starting a fight in online multiplayer mode.