The NHL 26 early access has just begun, and players can finally pick up the stick, enter the ice, and try the new and highly anticipated franchise installment. But before doing that, having a good understanding of all the game's controls is very important, as it gives the basics of how to play the game.
Mastering the NHL 26 controls will take time and a lot of practice, but it's also something fundamental to do for players who are extremely competitive and want to be as good as possible in the game.
In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about the NHL 26 controls, helping you take your first steps on the ice or take your game to a whole new level.
NHL 26 Controls
There are three types of control schemes in NHL 26: Total Control, Skill Stick, and Hybrid. They all differ from each other in a few ways, and depending on how familiar you are with the EA NHL franchise, the best one for you will vary.
Total Control is the most basic and easiest control scheme to pick up in NHL 26. The main difference from the other two control types is that skill moves can be performed by the simple click of a button, as can defensive moves. This makes it the perfect control option for new players.
Skill Stick is the perfect control scheme for veteran players of the EA NHL franchise. While skills are harder to perform, there is a bigger variety of skill moves players can do, benefiting those who take time to master them in a significant way. The same applies to defense moves, as while they are harder to execute, you have more control over them and more options to choose from.
As the name indicates, the Hybrid control scheme brings the best of the Total Control and Skill Stick worlds, making it a fantastic option for players who want a mix of easy face button options and access to the variety of other moves you can only perform with a button combination.
Inside each control scheme in NHL 26, we have offense, defense, goalie, and fighting controls, with the first three being the most important ones, as they have a higher impact on the outcome of the game, and are the ones you will utilize the most.
Offense Controls
To put the puck in the net at a consistent rate, you need to master these controls. They will teach you how to perform every single shot possible in NHL 26, how to move the puck around, and execute skill moves, giving you all the tools to be successful on offense.
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 |
Pass Aim | ||
Slap Shot | Move the Right Stick down and then up | Move Right Stick down and then up |
Wrist Shot | Right Stick down and then Roll Up | Right Stick down and then Roll Up |
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 double tap | R2 or R1 + L1 |
Hustle | L3 when going straight | L3 when going straight |
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 and RS up | R1 and RS up |
Win Faceoff | RS | RS |
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 | A | X |
Def. Line Change | B | O |
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 |
Board Pin | Y | △ |
Shoot | RS | RS |
Deke | RS | RS |
Skating | LS | LS |
Slap Shot | Move the RS down and then up | Move the RS down and then up |
Pass Aim | LS | LS |
Wrist Shot | RS down and then Roll Up | RS down and then Roll Up |
Snap Shot | RS Up | RS Up |
Desperation Shot | RS up ( double tap) | RS up ( double tap) |
Fake Shot | R3 | R3 |
Desperation Pass | Double-tap RT | Double-tap R2 |
Cancel Pass | RT or LT + L1 double tap | 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 + RS | L1 + RS |
Spin | RT | R2 |
Dump Puck | RB and RS up | R1 and RS 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 |
Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
Skate | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Hustle | LS | LS |
Protect Puck | LS | LS |
Coaching Adjustments | D-Pad | D-Pad |
Saucer Pass | RB | R1 |
Wrist Shot | X | ◻ |
Reverse Hit | Y | △ |
Slap Shot | B | O |
Pass | A | X |
Skill Stick | RS | RS |
Leg Stick | RS | RS |
Skating | LS | LS |
Shot | LS | LS |
Pass Aim | LS | LS |
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 / ◻ |
Snap Shot | RS Up / X | RS Up / ◻ |
Desperation Pass | Double-tap RT / X Double Tap | Double-tap R2 / ◻ Double Tap |
Fake Shot | RS | RS |
Dump Puck | RB and RS up | R1 and RS up |
Win Faceoff | RS | RS |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Deke | RS | RS |
Quick Deke | LB | L1 |
Windmill Deke | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
Spin | LT tap | L2 tap |
Desperation Pass | Double-tap A | Double-tap X |
Cancel Pass | A / RB + RT | X / R1 + R2 |
Defense Controls
While offense wins games, defense wins championships, or at least it gives you a good chance at it. If you want to dominate on Ultimate Team or lift the Stanley Cup on franchise mode, you need to know how to close down the goal, regain possession of the puck, and plant players into the barricades.
Total Control
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Block Shot | LB | L1 |
Skate | LS | LS |
Hustle | LS while going straight | LS while going straight |
Protect Puck | LS + RS | LS + RS |
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 | X | ◻ |
Push Check | RS | RS |
Shoulder Check | RS down and then up | RS down and then up |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Cancel Manual Switch Player | RT | R2 |
Chop Puck | R3 and RS | R3 and RS |
Pass Block + Sweep Stick | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
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 + RS | R2 hold + RS |
Sweep Stick | RB hold + RS | R1 hold + RS |
Desperation Clear | RS up (double tap) | RS up (double tap) |
Block Pass | LB | L1 |
Slash | LT + Y post whistle | L2 + Y post whistle |
Manual Switch to Goalie | LB + A | L1 + A |
Skill Stick
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Vision Control | LT | L2 |
Block Shot | LB | L1 |
Skate | LS | LS |
Hustle | LS while going straight | LS while going straight |
Protect Puck | LS + RS | LS + RS |
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 | X | ◻ |
Push Check | RS | RS |
Shoulder Check | RS down and then up | RS down and then up |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Cancel Manual Switch Player | RT + LB | R2 + L1 |
Chop Puck | R3 and RS | R3 and RS |
Pass Block + Sweep Stick | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
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 + RS | R2 hold + RS |
Hip Check | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
Sweep Stick | RB hold + RS | R1 hold + RS |
Desperation Clear | RS up (double tap) | RS 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 | LS | LS |
Hustle | LS while going straight | LS while going straight |
Coaching Adjustments | D-Pad | D-Pad |
Switch Player | RT | R2 |
Poke Check | RB | R1 |
Stick Left | A | X |
Board Pin | Y hold | △ hold |
Body Check | B | O |
Switch Player | X | ◻ |
Skill Stick | RS | RS |
Glide | LS release | LS release |
Cancel Manual Switch Player | RT + LB | R2 + L1 |
Poke Check | RB | R1 |
Chop Puck | R3 and RS | R3 and RS |
Pass Block + Sweep Stick | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
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 + RS | R2 hold + RS |
Shoulder Check | RS down and then up / B hold | RS down and then up / O hold |
Hip Check | LB + RS | L1 + RS |
Sweep Stick | RB hold + RS | R1 hold + RS |
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
Goalie controls go hand in hand with defense, as knowing how to move your goalie makes it extremely harder for opponents to score. Mastering goalie controls will prevent many goals and secure you a lot of wins.
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 | LS | LS |
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 | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Desperation Dives | RB hold / X hold | R1 hold / ◻ hold |
Cover Puck | Y | △ |
Pad Stack | B | O |
Free Skate | A | X |
Poke Check | LS up or down | LS up or down |
Butterfly Slide | LS left or rigth | LS left or rigth |
Split V | LS down | LS down |
Move Goalie | LS | LS |
Butterfly | RT hold | R2 hold |
Diving Poke Check | X + LS | ◻ + LS |
Stack Pads | B + LS | O + LS |
Dump Puck | RS up | RS up |
Leave Puck for Teammate | LT | L1 |
Hug Post Left | LS left / LB + LS | LS left / L1 + LS |
Hug Post (VH) | RT | L2 |
Diving Save | X + LS / RB ls | ◻ + LS / R1 + LS |
Spread V | RS | RS |
Poke Sweep | RS + RS left or right | RS + RS left or right |
Pre-Emptive Save | RS + RB | RS + R1 |
Free Skate | A | X |
Pass Puck | RT | R2 |
Skill Stick
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 | LS | LS |
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 | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Desperation Dives | RB hold / X hold | R1 hold / ◻ hold |
Cover Puck | Y | △ |
Pad Stack | B | O |
Free Skate | A | X |
Poke Check | LS up or down | LS up or down |
Butterfly Slide | LS left or rigth | LS left or rigth |
Split V | LS down | LS down |
Move Goalie | LS | LS |
Diving Poke Check | X + LS | ◻ + LS |
Hug Post Right | LS left / LB + LS | LS left / L1 + LS |
Diving Poke Check | X + LS | ◻ + LS |
Stack Pads | B + LS | O + LS |
Dump Puck | RS up | RS up |
Leave Puck for Teammate | LT | L1 |
Hug Post Left | LS left / LB + LS | LS left / L1 + LS |
Hug Post (VH) | RT | L2 |
Diving Save | X + LS / RB ls | ◻ + LS / R1 + LS |
Poke Sweep | RS + RS left or right | RS + RS left or right |
Pass Puck | RT | L2 |
Hybrid
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 | LS | LS |
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 | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Desperation Dives | RB hold / X hold | R1 hold / ◻ hold |
Cover Puck | Y | △ |
Pad Stack | B | O |
Free Skate | A | X |
Poke Check | LS up or down | LS up or down |
Butterfly Slide | LS left or rigth | LS left or rigth |
Split V | LS down | LS down |
Move Goalie | LS | LS |
Diving Poke Check | X + LS | ◻ + LS |
Hug Post Right | LS left / LB + LS | LS left / L1 + LS |
Stack Pads | B + LS | O + LS |
Sweep Behind | Y + RB | △ + R1 |
Dump Puck | RS up | RS up |
Leave Puck for Teammate | LT | L1 |
Hug Post Left | LS left / LB + LS | LS left / L1 + LS |
Hug Post (VH) | RT | L2 |
Diving Save | X + LS / RB ls | ◻ + LS / R1 + LS |
Spread V | RS away from puck | RS away from puck |
Pre-Emptive Save | RS + RB | RS + R1 |
Pass Puck | RT | L2 |
Fighting Controls
Ice hockey is a physical game, and you need to be ready to throw a punch or two.
Command | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
|---|---|---|
Initiate/Accept Fight | Double Tap Y | Double Tap △ |
Fake Grab | Press LT | Press L2 |
Uppercut | Move Right Stick down | Move Right Stick down |
Pull | Move Left Stick down | Move Left Stick down |
Dodge | Press RT | Press R2 |
Grab | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
Overhand Punch | Move Right Stick up | Move Right Stick up |
Push | Move Left Stick up | Move Left Stick up |
Block/Lean Back | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
This is everything you need to know about the NHL 26 controls. Remember, practice makes perfect, so enter the ice and start honing your NHL 26 skills.
Stay tuned to RealSport101.com for updates, trailers, and official news on NHL 26.