NHL 26 review: The smartest hockey game ever?

Gameplay Intelligence Hits a New Level

EA Sports has quietly overhauled the brains of NHL 26. The most noticeable shift is how smarter everything feels—from teammates anticipating plays to opponents adapting mid-game. You can no longer rely on muscle memory or rinse-repeat tactics. The AI reads lanes, cuts off passes, and forces real-time decision-making. It’s hockey IQ on steroids, and it shows up everywhere.

Offensive players don’t just charge the net blindly anymore. They cycle back, look for openings, and execute layered zone entries. Defensively, your teammates step into passing lanes or collapse when needed instead of floating aimlessly. These aren’t just surface tweaks. The AI’s underlying decision tree feels rewritten from scratch, giving the game a sense of life it previously lacked.

Superstar Skill Moves Grow Up

Skill moves were always flashy, but often disconnected from the flow of play. NHL 26 changes that. Now, players like Connor McDavid or Cale Makar don’t just have signature animations—they execute them contextually. You’ll see McDavid slide through a double-team or Makar dance the blue line with a fluidity that mirrors real-life moments.

This isn’t just cosmetic. Each superstar’s toolkit now affects how you approach matchups. Facing a team with elite d-men? You’ll need quick-decision puck handling. Going against a mobile goalie? Time your dekes with surgical precision.

Goalie AI Finally Steps Up

Goalies in past NHL titles often felt like passengers or glitch magnets. NHL 26 changes that. The new “Reflex Save System” enhances reaction animations based on positioning, fatigue, and read of the play. That means fewer awkward flops and more situational responses. You’ll still get beat—just not by bugs.

Goalies now track the puck better on cross-crease passes and anticipate rebounds with more realism. Human-like mistakes still happen, but they feel earned, not cheap. Expect fewer top-shelf freebies and more battles at the net front.

Precision Passing Reinvented

Passing has always been the quiet heartbeat of the NHL series, but it was too forgiving. NHL 26 dials in a system that rewards accuracy and vision. Hold the pass button longer, and you’ll whip a high-speed dish. Tap it, and you get a soft touch pass. The angle, lane, and weight now matter.

This adds real tension in transition play. A mistimed pass can ruin a breakout or leave you exposed. Players like Leon Draisaitl shine here—his crisp no-look feeds now feel like weapons. You can string together beautiful plays, but only if you think one pass ahead.

Franchise Mode Gets Strategic Depth

If you’re a sim-head, you’ll appreciate the layers added to Franchise Mode. NHL 26 introduces dynamic staff roles that actually matter. Hiring a coach isn’t just cosmetic—his philosophy shapes player performance. A defensive-minded coach will conflict with a roster built for speed. Chemistry is no longer a throwaway stat; it affects morale, growth, and on-ice cohesion.

There’s also a new financial control layer. You can allocate resources to scouting, development, or marketing. That means tough choices: build for today or invest in tomorrow? Smart managers will see their vision come to life. Slackers will fall into rebuild hell.

World of Chel Finds Its Groove

The casual-online experience finally feels cohesive. NHL 26 leans into the live-service model but avoids pay-to-win traps. Battle Passes are cosmetic-only. Game modes within Chel—like Threes Eliminator or EASHL—now have seasonal rewards that actually matter. Customization is slick, with more gear options and team branding tools.

The biggest win? Improved matchmaking and less lag. Games feel smoother, hits register cleaner, and quitters face harsher penalties. It’s a cleaner ecosystem, which Chel badly needed.

Visuals and Presentation: Understated but Sharp

Visually, NHL 26 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but polish is evident. Player models are slightly reworked, especially faces and gear. Lighting updates bring better rink atmosphere, especially during night games or playoff intensity moments. Arenas feel louder and more alive.

Broadcast presentation has also matured. Commentary is tighter, with fewer awkward repeats. Dynamic overlays reflect player milestones or stats mid-game, adding TV-style flair. It still won’t fool anyone into thinking it’s real-life footage, but the immersion level is higher than ever.

Performance on Next-Gen Consoles

Running on PS5 and Xbox Series X, NHL 26 performs rock-solid. Load times are short. Frame rate is stable at 60fps even in scrappy net-front moments. The DualSense haptics on PS5 are used with surprising subtlety—sticks-on-ice, board rattles, and skates digging in all feel nuanced without being gimmicky.

No crashes, no stutters, no memory leaks to report as of September 06, 2025. The build is tight, which is no small feat for a live-updating sports title.

Microtransactions and Progression

EA seems to have learned from backlash. Ultimate Team still exists—and yes, packs are purchasable—but NHL 26 has significantly improved grind paths for non-spenders. Milestone rewards, XP boosters, and seasonal content help level the field.

Still, if you’re allergic to microtransactions, some elements will frustrate you. Premium packs carry exclusive card art and slightly boosted drop rates. But from a balance perspective, it doesn’t feel pay-to-win—more like pay-to-flex.

Quick Look: Core Features Table

Final Verdict

NHL 26 doesn’t just iterate—it evolves. Smarter AI, deeper modes, cleaner visuals, and more responsive gameplay make this entry a serious step forward. It’s not perfect, and it doesn’t revolutionize every system. But in terms of hockey sense, feel, and authenticity, this is easily the sharpest version to date. If you play with intent, NHL 26 rewards you with the most satisfying puck-on-stick experience yet.