How to Score Goals in NHL 26

Scoring in NHL 26 is largely about moving the goaltender before you shoot. The most reliable finishes come from changing your skating angle, using both sticks to sell a deke, and releasing the puck immediately after the goalie commits. This guide focuses on Skill Stick controls and covers breakaways, wraps, toe drags, behind-the-net plays, two-on-ones, and one-timers.

Controls and Basic Principles

The techniques below assume you are using Skill Stick controls. Exact stick directions depend on whether your player is left- or right-handed, so practice the motion with the player facing the net before trying it in a match.

• Left stick: Controls skating and often determines the direction of a deke or shot approach.
• Right stick: Controls the puck, dekes, shooting direction, and toe drags.
• L1: Used for the described directional deke animation.
• L2: Helps initiate certain pivots and skating movements.
• R3: Used for the simple puck-protection move on a breakaway.

Do not hold acceleration throughout every breakaway move. Release acceleration before trying to shift from one side to the other. If you keep accelerating, the player may not create enough lateral movement and the goaltender will not react properly.

When performing a side-to-side move, direct both sticks in the same direction whenever possible. Moving the skater and puck together creates a wider motion, forcing the goalie to travel farther across the crease.

Breakaway Scoring Methods

Wide Side-to-Side Deke

This is one of the simplest ways to score on a breakaway.

1. Carry the puck toward the net at speed.
2. Release acceleration before beginning the lateral movement.
3. Move both sticks toward one side to show the goalie your intended direction.
4. Quickly shift both sticks to the opposite side.
5. Shoot as the goaltender begins sliding across.

The important part is the size of the movement. A small right-stick twitch while skating straight does not always move the goalie enough. Sell the first direction with your body and puck, then change sides before shooting.

Forehand-to-Backhand Finish

Hold the puck on your comfortable side, then move it across to the backhand side and release the shot. This works especially well when the goalie is already leaning toward the initial puck position.

• Approach with the puck on your forehand.
• Move across to the backhand.
• Shoot immediately rather than adding another deke.

L1 Directional Deke

The L1 deke can pull the goalie away from the side where you plan to finish. In this move, the right stick is not required for the deke itself.

1. Skate in alone with a clear shooting lane.
2. Use the left stick to set the direction toward the side you want the goalie to move toward.
3. Press L1 while maintaining that direction.
4. As the goalie moves, shoot into the open side.

The timing is more important than speed. If you activate the deke too early, the goalie may recover before the shot. If you wait too long, you may collide with the crease.

R3 Puck-Protection Move

For another breakaway option, press R3 while approaching the net at speed, then pull the right stick toward yourself to roll the puck back into your control before shooting.

This move depends heavily on timing. Performing it too early or too late can leave the puck exposed or allow the goalie to remain square. Practice the motion while approaching from different angles.

Skate Past the Goalie and Cut Back

Goalies can overcommit when they believe the attacker is skating behind or past the net. Use that commitment against them.

1. Build speed while approaching the crease.
2. Continue toward the goal line as if you are going behind the net.
3. At the right moment, cut back toward the middle.
4. Shoot before the goalie can recover.

A variation is to use the right stick toward your comfortable side while lightly using L2 to create a partial turn. This helps move the goalie away from the far-post shooting lane. Release the shot into the far corner as the goalie slides.

Straight-Line Backhand Shot

Another effective approach requires very little stick work. Skate directly toward the net, move the puck to the backhand side, and shoot. The goalie may slide too far across the crease, leaving space on the opposite side.

This is particularly useful when the goalie is already moving aggressively. Do not over-deke: a quick lateral change followed by a shot is often enough.

Spinorama Breakaway

When carrying the puck close to the goal line, a Spinorama can make the goalie commit in the wrong direction.

1. Skate toward the goal line at an angle.
2. Wait until you are close to the line before starting the Spinorama.
3. Complete the turn as the goalie reacts.
4. Finish into the open net or exposed far side.

The animation is timing-sensitive. Starting the spin too early or using a poor approach angle can carry you away from the shooting lane.

Net-Front and Corner Finishes

L1 Deke Toward the Forehand

The L1 directional deke can also be used toward your comfortable side. Direct both the left and right sticks in that direction while activating L1, then shoot as soon as the goalie moves.

This works best when you do not pause after the deke. The goalie often extends far from the crease, so a fast release toward the open side is more effective than another control input.

Corner Cutback

From behind or beside the net, move the puck to your comfortable side and skate out toward the slot or faceoff circle. In NHL 26, shots toward the far corner from these angles can be effective without requiring a full drive to the middle.

1. Enter the corner or move behind the net.
2. Use a toe-drag or puck pull to create separation.
3. Stop changing direction briefly while performing the move.
4. Pull the puck across and shoot toward the far side.

When performing a toe drag from behind the net, combine the puck movement with the directional input. Set the direction during the toe drag, then release the shot instead of continuing to skate.

Behind-the-Net and Wraparound Goals

Reverse Wrap and Backhand Finish

To perform the reverse-wrap style movement, use the right stick to pull the puck toward the uncomfortable side while pressing L2, then release L2 and skate out from behind the net.

1. Move behind the goal on the reverse side.
2. Pull the puck toward the backhand or uncomfortable side.
3. Press and release L2 to begin the skating movement.
4. Exit from behind the net.
5. Move the puck toward the comfortable side and shoot.

The release direction matters. If the right stick is pushed too far downward or held too long, the player may trigger an unwanted puck animation instead of the intended shot. Practice the motion slowly before increasing speed.

Goal-Line Angles and Weak Spots

Shots from near the goal line can expose gaps around the goalie’s pad and glove-side knee. These opportunities are more angle-dependent than standard breakaway shots and may feel inconsistent, so treat them as situational finishes rather than a replacement for normal attacks.

• Approach the goal line with the puck protected.
• Pull the stick back before shooting.
• Release the left stick just before the shot instead of steering the shot manually.
• Aim for the space around the near-side knee or low glove-side area.

The source technique also describes skating behind the net on a “boat” or reverse skating movement, then shooting from the comfortable side while directing the left stick downward or slightly toward the near corner. This is difficult to execute consistently and should be practiced in training mode.

Spin Turn from Behind the Net

When skating behind the net, move the right stick toward the uncomfortable side without adding extra inputs. The game can automatically turn the skater to face the attacking end, creating an unexpected exit route from behind the goal.

Use the move to surprise defenders or create a passing lane. Pressing the input too late can make the turn ineffective, so begin it while the player is still moving behind the net.

Toe Drags and Far-Corner Shots

Toe Drag from the Corner

Toe drags from behind the net or the corner are especially useful because the puck can be released from a sharp angle. The key is to stop the skating direction briefly while completing the drag.

1. Approach behind the net or from the corner.
2. Begin the toe drag with the right stick.
3. Use the left stick to set the direction of the drag at the same time.
4. Once the puck reaches the shooting side, release toward the far corner.

From one side, the described movement pulls the puck from roughly the three-o’clock position downward before the shot. From the opposite side, use the mirrored movement from roughly nine o’clock toward three o’clock. The exact direction changes with player handedness and camera orientation.

Blue-Line and Angle Shots

A simple shot can also work when carrying the puck along the blue line or toward the faceoff circle. Pull the puck to one side, skate laterally, and release toward the far corner.

These shots are most useful when the goalie is screened, moving laterally, or expecting a pass. Avoid shooting while completely stationary unless the lane is clear, because the lateral movement is what helps change the goalie’s angle.

Two-on-One Scoring

Cut Inside and Shoot

On a two-on-one, defenders often protect the passing lane to the far-side teammate. Use that expectation to create a shooting opportunity.

1. Carry the puck down the wing with a teammate on the opposite side.
2. Move both sticks toward the center to suggest a pass or inside cut.
3. Shift the puck back toward the outside or shooting side.
4. Shoot into the near corner before the defender can close you down.

The move is most effective when the defender commits to the teammate or begins blocking the far-side pass. Do not force the shot if the defender stays directly in the lane; the pass remains the safer option.

Fake the Pass and Between-the-Legs Shot

You can also sell the far-side pass, then use the defender’s reaction to create space for a between-the-legs finish.

• Angle toward the defender as though you are preparing to pass across.
• Wait for the defender to protect the far-side option.
• Pull the puck into position for the between-the-legs release.
• Shoot once the defender has moved away from the near lane.

This is a higher-risk option. It is most useful when the defender refuses to challenge the puck carrier and leaves enough room for the animation to complete.

Passing and One-Timer Goals

Behind-the-Back Pass

Behind-the-back passes can create better scoring chances than ordinary cross-crease passes, particularly when moving behind the net. The pass changes the goalie’s tracking animation and can make the lateral movement slower or less precise.

1. Skate behind the net or use reverse skating to approach the goal line.
2. Move across the back of the net while protecting the puck.
3. Pass behind your body toward a teammate arriving at the post or slot.
4. Allow the teammate to shoot quickly before the goalie resets.

Passes made while skating behind the net can behave differently from passes made while facing the goal. The teammate’s timing is important, so look for a player arriving at the post rather than passing blindly into open space.

One-Timer Timing

One-timers remain an important finishing option. Use them when a teammate has a clear lane across the crease or is arriving in a dangerous area.

• Move the puck across the formation instead of forcing a shot through a defender.
• Pass slightly ahead of the receiver so the shot can be released immediately.
• Use behind-the-net passing when the goalie is already moving laterally.
• Watch for defenders who anticipate the cross-crease pass and adjust with a shot or short pass instead.

Practice Plan and Common Mistakes

Most of these finishes depend on timing rather than complicated inputs. Use practice mode to repeat one movement from both sides until the puck release feels automatic.

Recommended Practice Order

1. Learn the wide side-to-side breakaway deke.
2. Practice the forehand-to-backhand finish.
3. Add the L1 directional deke.
4. Work on toe drags from each corner.
5. Practice reverse wraps and behind-the-net exits.
6. Finish with two-on-one passing and one-timers.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Holding acceleration too long: Release it before changing direction on a breakaway.
• Using only the right stick: Coordinating both sticks creates a more convincing lateral movement.
• Adding extra dekes: Shoot as soon as the goalie commits instead of giving them time to recover.
• Ignoring player handedness: Mirror the directions when using a left-handed or right-handed skater.
• Starting a Spinorama too early: Wait until you are close enough to the goal line to make the goalie react.
• Steering during every shot: For certain low-angle finishes, releasing the left stick before shooting produces the intended animation more reliably.
• Forcing glitch-style attempts: Goal-line and under-the-pad shots can be inconsistent, so maintain normal dekes, passes, and far-corner shots as your core offense.

Final Takeaways

The most dependable NHL 26 scoring habit is to move the goalie first and shoot second. On breakaways, release acceleration, show one direction with both sticks, and finish on the opposite side. Around the net, use toe drags, reverse wraps, Spinoramas, and sharp-angle shots to create movement. In team situations, disguise the far-side pass, use behind-the-back passes from behind the goal, and take one-timers when the defense overcommits.

Practice each move from both sides of the ice, focus on the timing of the final release, and avoid adding unnecessary inputs once the goalie has already been beaten.