The skating may be the star of NHL 19, but the new collision physics gets the assist.

Best of all, the new approach to skating has also helped EA largely overcome the longstanding puck pickup problem that has plagued the series.

The new skating system makes it easier to turn directions, burst out of stops, and control movement in tight spaces, making this the most responsive skating system yet. Gone are the lumbering skaters who turn like the Titanic. With a new skating system, NHL 19 shows dramatic improvement in this crucial area, and the effects are felt across every mode in the robust package. The players felt slow and unresponsive, a far cry from the burst and agility we see from NHL stars. Over the last few years, EA’s NHL franchise has underperformed like one of these plodding prospects largely due to the same factor. The difference between true NHLers and a career minor leaguer can often be chalked up to one ability – skating technique. A prospect can have all the puck skills in the world, but it’s not uncommon for players who regularly put up 100-point seasons in the CHL struggle to crack NHL lineups.

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