- Primary Subject: EA Sports NHL 27
- Key Update: Complete breakdown of the Total Control, Skill Stick, and Hybrid button layouts for offense, defense, goalie, and fighting controls on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: September 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: NHL 27 features three main control schemes: Total Control for beginners, Skill Stick for precision stick-handling veterans, and Hybrid for balanced button and stick play.
NHL 27 is finally here, bringing presentation improvements, gameplay tweaks, and the highly anticipated return of Franchise Connected.
But before stepping onto the ice and starting your journey to claim the Stanley Cup or dominate online play, you need to master the controls.
That will take a good amount of time and practice for new players, but it will also make their lives easier in the long run, especially in online play. Veterans should be able to pick them up from the get-go, as there aren't many significant changes.
In this guide, we go over all the NHL 27 controls to help you take your first steps on ice or take your game to a whole new level.
NHL 27 Controls
Similar to previous entries, NHL 27 has three control schemes: Total Control, Skill Stick, and Hybrid. They are significantly different from one another, with Total Control being the best choice for new players.
Total Control is the most straightforward control scheme in NHL 27. Both skill and defensive moves can be performed with the click of a button, which is what really separates this scheme from Skill Stick and Hybrid.
Skill Stick is the go-to for veteran players, as it provides more control over every single move on ice. While skill moves are harder to perform, there is also a wider variety of them. The same thing applies to defensive moves.
More options with a harder learning curve; that is the trade-off of Skill Stick.
Hybrid is the sweet spot between the two other control schemes. It's easier than Skill Stick, but offers more options and skill-move variety than Total Control.
If you don't want to be locked to four skill and defensive moves, but also don't want to spend the time required to truly learn the Skill Stick scheme, then Hybrid is the perfect control scheme for you.
Each NHL 27 control scheme has the following categories: offense, defense, goalie, and fighting controls. We advise you to really focus on the first three, as those are the ones that truly make a difference on the ice.
Offense Controls
Scoring at a consistent rate is mandatory to find success in NHL 27, be it in online or offline modes.
These controls give you every tool you need to succeed on offense, including how to perform different shots, skill moves, set up teammates with great passes, and hustle to the puck.
Total Control
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Deke/Deke Modifier | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
Breakout | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
Off. Line Change | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right |
Def. Line Change | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Protect Puck | LS + RS | LS + RS |
Pass | Press RT | Press R2 |
Icon Passing | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Saucer Pass | RB | R1 |
Toe Drag | X | ◻ |
Lacross | Y | △ |
Between Legs | B | O |
Reverse Hit | A | X |
Shoot | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Deke | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Leg Kick | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Slap Shot | Right Stick down and then up | Right Stick down and then up |
Wrist Shot | Roll Up Right Stick | Roll Up Right Stick |
Desperation Shot | Right Stick double-tap up | Right Stick double-tap up |
Fake Shot | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
Desperation Pass | Double-tap RT | Double-tap R2 |
Cancel Pass | RT or LT + L1 | R2 or R1 + L1 |
Hustle | L3 when going straight | L3 when going straight |
Protect Puck | L3 + Right Stick left or right | 3 + Right Stick left or right |
Glide | Release Left Stick | Release Left Stick |
Quick Deke | LB | L1 |
Finesse Deke | Hold L1 then release | Hold LB, then release |
Spin | RT | R2 |
Leg Kick | R3 | R3 |
Reverse Hit | A | X |
Dump Puck | RB + Right Stick Up | R1 + Right Stick Up |
Win Faceoff | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Skill Stick
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Deke/Deke Modifier | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
Breakout | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
Off. Line Change | B | O |
Def. Line Change | X | ◻ |
Board Pin | Y | △ |
Reverse Hit | A | X |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Protect Puck | LS + RS | LS + RS |
Pass | Press RT | Press R2 |
Icon Passing | Hold RT + Player Icon | Hold R2 + Player Icon |
Saucer Pass Icon Passing) | Hold RT + Hold Player Icon | Hold R2 + Hold Player Icon |
Saucer Pass | RB | R1 |
Shoot | RS | RS |
Deke | RS | RS |
Skating | LS | LS |
Slap Shot | Right Stick down and then up | Right Stick down and then up |
Wrist Shot | Roll Up Right Stick | Roll Up Right Stick |
Snap Shot | Right Stick Up | Right Stick Up |
Desperation Shot | Right Stick Up double tap | Right Stick Up double tap |
Fake Shot | R3 | R3 |
Desperation Pass | Double-tap RT | Double-tap R2 |
Cancel Pass | RT or LT + L1 | R2 or R1 + L1 |
Hustle | L3 when going straight | L3 when going straight |
Glide | Release Left Stick | Release Left Stick |
Quick Deke | LB | L1 |
Windmill Deke | LB + Right Stick | L1 + Right Stick |
Spin | RT | R2 |
Dump Puck | RB + Right Stick up | R1 + Right Stick up |
Win Faceoff | RS | RS |
Hybrid
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Deke/Deke Modifier | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
Coaching Adjustments | D-Pad | D-Pad |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Hustle | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Protect Puck | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Shot | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Saucer Pass | RB | R1 |
Wrist Shot | X | ◻ |
Reverse Hit | Y | △ |
Slap Shot | B | O |
Pass | A | X |
Skill Stick | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Leg Stick | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Slap Shot | Move the RS down and then up / B | Move the RS down and then up/ O |
Wrist Shot | RS down and then Roll Up/ X | RS down and then Roll Up / ◻ |
Slap Shot | Right Stick up or X | Right Stick up or ◻ |
Desperation Shot | Double-tap RT / X Double Tap | Double-tap R2 / ◻ Double Tap |
Fake Shot | R3 | R3 |
Dump Puck | RB + Right Stick up | R1 + Right Stick up |
Win Faceoff | RS | RS |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Deke | Move Right Stick left or right | Move Right Stick left or right |
Quick Deke | LB | L1 |
Windmill Deke | LB + Right Stick | L1 + Right Stick |
Spin | LT tap | L2 tap |
Desperation Pass | Double-tap A | Double-tap X |
Cancel Pass | A / RB + RT | X / R1 + R2 |
Defense Controls
Preventing the puck from hitting the back of your net is quite important if you want to win games and eventually lift the Stanley Cup.
These are the controls you use in defensive moments to regain possession, block shots, pin players, switch defenders, check the puck, and much more.
Total Control
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Block Shot | LB | L1 |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Hustle | Left Stick while going straight | Left Stick while going straight |
Protect Puck | Left Stick + Right Stick | Left Stick + Right Stick |
Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
Breakout | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
Off Line Change | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right |
Def Line Change | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left |
Switch Player | RT | R2 |
Poke Check | RB | R1 |
Hip Check | X | ◻ |
Board Pin | Y hold | △ hold |
Shoulder Check | B | O |
Stick Left | A | X |
Push Check | Right Stick Up | Right Stick Up |
Shoulder Check | Right Stick down and up | Right Stick down and up |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Cancel Manual Switch Player | RT (Hold) + LB | R2 (Hold) + L1 |
Chop Puck | R3 and RS | R3 and RS |
Pass Block + Sweep Stick | LB + Right Stick left or right | L1 + Right Stick left or right |
Tie Up Stick | A (Hold) | X (Hold) |
Dive / Block | LB + RB | L1 + R1 |
Initiate Net Battle ( in open ice) | Y (Hold) | △ (Hold) |
Manual Switch Player | RT (Hold) + Right Stick | R2 (Hold) + Right Stick |
Sweep Stick | RB (Hold) + Right Stick | R1 (Hold) + Right Stick |
Desperation Clear | Right Stick (double tap) | Right Stick (double tap) |
Block Pass | LB | L1 |
Slash | LT + Y post whistle | L2 + Y post whistle |
Manual Switch to Goalie | LB + A | L1 + X |
Skill Stick
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Block Shot | LB | L1 |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Hustle | Left Stick while going straight | Left Stick while going straight |
Protect Puck | Left Stick + Right Stick | Left Stick + Right Stick |
Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
Breakout | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
Switch Player | RT | R2 |
Poke Check | RB | R1 |
Def Line Change | X | ◻ |
Board Pin | Y hold | △ hold |
Off Line Change | B | O |
Stick Left | A | X |
Push Check | Right Stick Up | Right Stick Up |
Shoulder Check | Right Stick Down and then Up | Right Stick Down and then Up |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Cancel Manual Switch Player | RT (Hold) + LB | R2 (Hold) + L1 |
Chop Puck | R3 and RS | R3 and RS |
Pass Block + Sweep Stick | LB + Right Stick left or right | LB + Right Stick left or right |
Tie Up Stick | A (Hold) | X (Hold) |
Dive / Block | LB + RB | L1 + R1 |
Initiate Net Battle ( in open ice) | Y hold | △ hold |
Manual Switch Player | RT (Hold) + Right Stick | R2 (Hold) + Right Stick |
Hip Check | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
Sweep Stick | RB (Hold) + Right Stick | R1 (Hold) + Right Stick |
Desperation Clear | Right Stick Up (double tap) | Right Stick Up (double tap) |
Slash | LT + Y post whistle | L2 + Y post whistle |
Manual Switch to Goalie | LB + A | L1 + A |
Hybrid
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Block Shot | LB | L1 |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Hustle | Left Stick while going straight | LS while going straight |
Coaching Adjustments | D-Pad | D-Pad |
Switch Player | RT | R2 |
Poke Check | RB | R1 |
Stick Left | X | ◻ |
Board Pin | Y hold | △ hold |
Body Check | B | O |
Switch Player | A | X |
Skill Stick | Right Stick | Right Stick |
Glide | Left Stick release | Left Stick release |
Cancel Manual Switch Player | RT (Hold) + LB | R2 (Hold) + L1 |
Poke Check | RB | R1 |
Chop Puck | R3 + Right Stick | R3 + Right Stick |
Pass Block + Sweep Stick | LB + Right Stick left or right | L1 + Right Stick left or right |
Tie Up Stick | X (Hold) | ◻ (Hold) |
Dive / Block | LB + RB | L1 + R1 |
Initiate Net Battle ( in open ice) | Y (Hold) | △ (Hold) |
Manual Switch Player | RT (Hold) + Right Stick | R2 (Hold) + RS |
Manual Switch Player ( Last Man Back) | RT (Hold) + R3 | R2 (Hold) + R3 |
Shoulder Check | RS down and then up / B (Hold) | RS down and then up / O (Hold) |
Hip Check | LB + R3 | L1 + R3 |
Sweep Stick | RB (Hold) + Right Stick | R1 (Hold) + Right Stick |
Desperation Clear | RS up (double tap) | RS up (double tap) |
Stick Left | X | ◻ |
Block Pass | LB | L1 |
Slash | LT + Y post whistle | L2 + Y post whistle |
Manual Switch to Goalie | LB + A | L1 + A |
Goalie Controls
If playing as the last line of defense is what excites you, you need to know these controls as well as the back of your hand.
As the name indicates, they give you full control over the goalie, allowing you to move him, cover the puck, dive, or hug the post. You can also adjust your defensive line.
The goalie controls are the same for all three NHL 27 control schemes.
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Instinct | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
Challenge | LB | L1 |
Manual Goal Post | Press LB (Hold) | Press L1 (Hold) |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
Breakout | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
Off. Line Change | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right |
Def. Line Change | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left |
Butterfly | RT (Hold) | R2 (Hold) |
Desperation Dives | X (Hold) | ◻ (Hold) |
Cover Puck | Y | △ |
Pad Stack | B | O |
Free Skate | A | X |
Poke Check | Right Stick up | Right Stick up |
Butterfly Slide | Right Stick left or right | Right Stick left or right |
Split V | Right Stick down | LS down or Right Stick |
Move Goalie | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Butterfly | RT (Hold) | R2 (Hold) |
Diving Poke Check | X + Left Stick Up | ◻ + Left Stick Up |
Stack Pads | B + Left Stick left or right | O + Left Stick left or right |
Sweep Behind | Y + RB | △ + R1 |
Dump Puck | Right Stick Up | Right Stick Up |
Leave Puck for Teammate | LT | L1 |
Hug Post Left | Left Stick left / LB + Left Stick | Left Stick left / L1 + Stick left |
Hug Post (VH) | RT | L2 |
Diving Save | X + Left Stick / Right Stick | ◻ + LS / R1 + LS |
Spread V | Right Stick away from puck | Right Stick away from puck |
Poke Sweep | Right Stick half rotate | Right Stick half rotate |
Pre-Emptive Save | Right Stick + RB | Right Stick + R1 |
Free Skate | A | X |
Pass Puck | RT | R2 |
Fighting Controls
The name is self-explanatory. Take the gloves off and let your knuckles do the talking.
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Initiate/Accept Fight | Double Tap Y | Double Tap △ |
Fake Grab | LT | L2 |
Uppercut | Right Stick down | Right Stick down |
Pull | Left Stick down | Left Stick down |
Dodge | RT | R2 |
Grab | LT (Hold) | L2 (Hold) |
Overhand Punch | Right Stick up | Right Stick up |
Push | Left Stick up | Left Stick up |
Block/Lean Back | RT (Hold) | R2 (Hold) |
This is everything you need to know about the NHL 27 controls. As mentioned above, mastering them will take time, especially if you are new to the NHL franchise.
But as with most things in life, practice makes perfect, so head on to the Training and Practice mode and start the journey to take your game to the next level!
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