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Table of Contents
Now that the latest installment has arrived, both new and veteran players are looking to get acquainted with all the NHL 25 controls. There weren't quite as many big system overhauls since NHL 24, but a few areas got refined throughout the past year via updates and in tweaks to NHL 25.
Considering the sheer volume of complex dekes and shots you might want to try, having a reference at hand will make a big difference. We've got full details in this NHL 24 controls guide about how to handle offense, faceoffs, defense, goalie, fighting, net battles, and coaching adjustments.
NHL 25 Controls Guide, All Changes From NHL 24
This franchise got a big engine overhaul as well as the debut of Total Control last year, and all of that is back with a little bit of extra polish. The NHL 25 controls will feel very familiar to NHL 24 players, but here are the main changes you need to be aware of: A (on Xbox) or X (on PlayStation) will no longer do the One Handed Tuck and instead is for a Reverse Hit, and pressing the Right Stick will now trigger a Leg Kick instead of a Reverse Hit.
While the rest of the controls remain the same, the defensive hit system got revamped with multiple factors determining the impact of each hit and how long it takes an opposing player to get back to their feet. Some AI improvements and overall gameplay tuning will also be felt across all NHL 25 game modes.
There are a few NHL 25 controller settings you can adjust, but the main one will be deciding between the Total Control system (which we'll be outlining here), the classic Skill Stick mechanics, or a hybrid option. We recommend starting with Total Control and Camera Relative shooting controls unless you're a veteran who was using one of the other options heavily last year. There are also a few goalie specific settings, and you can find more details on those below alongside the goalie controls.
NHL 25 Offense Controls
Here are all of the NHL 25 offense controls:
| Offensive Move | NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Skating / Shot & Pass Aim | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
| Hustle | Press Left Stick | Press L3 |
| Protect Puck | Press Left Stick + Move Right Stick to the Left or to the Right | Press L3 + Move Right Stick to the Left or to the Right |
| Glide | Release Left Stick | Release Left Stick |
| Vision Control | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
| Slap Shot | Move Right Stick Down and then Up | Move Right Stick Down and then Up |
| Wrist Shot | Move Right Stick Down then Roll Up | Move Right Stick Down then Roll Up |
| Snap Shot | Move Right Stick Up | Move Right Stick Up |
| Desperation Shot | Double Tap Right Stick Up | Double Tap Right Stick Up |
| Fake Shot | LB + Press Right Stick | L2 + Press R3 |
| Pass (hold for more strength) | Press or Hold RT | Press or Hold R2 |
| Saucer Pass | Press RB | Press R1 |
| Icon Passing | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
| Desperation Pass | Double Tap RT | Double Tap R2 |
| Cancel Pass | While Holding RT, Press RB + LB | While Holding R2, Press R1 + L1 |
| Deke | Move Right Stick Left or Right | |
| Quick Deke | Tap LB | Tap L1 |
| Finesse Deke | Hold LB then Release | Hold L1 then Release |
| Spin | Press LT | Press L2 |
| Leg Kick |
Press Right Stick | Press R3 |
| Dump Puck | Press RB + Move Right Stick Up | Press R1 + Move Right Stick Up |
| Win Faceoff | Move Right Stick | Move Right Stick |
| Toe Drag | Move Right Stick Downward Left between 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock positions then rotate counter clockwise | Move Right Stick Downward Left between 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock positions then rotate counter clockwise |
| Backhand Toe Drag | Press X | Press Square |
| Backhand Toe Drag Flip | Hold X + Press RB | Press Square + Press R1 |
| Backhand Toe Drag Shot | Hold X then Release | Hold Square then Release |
| Backhand Toe Drag Fake | Press Y + Press LB | Press Triangle + Press L1 |
| One Handed Pass | Hold A then Press RT or RB | Hold X then Press R2 or R1 |
| One Handed Shot | Hold A then Release | Hold X then Release |
| One Handed Fake | Press A + Press LB | Press X + Press L1 |
| Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass | Hold B + Press RB | Hold Circle + Press R1 |
| Between-the-Legs Pass | Hold B + Press RT | Hold Circle + Press R2 |
| Between-the-Legs Shot | Hold B then Release | Hold Circle then Release |
| Slip Deke (near boards) | Press LB | Press L1 |
| Board-bank Self-pass (near boards) | Press LB + Press RT | Press L1 + Press R2 |
| Behind-the-Net Self-pass (behind net) | Press LB + Press RT | Press L1 + Press R2 |
| Drop Pass | Press RB without moving Left Stick | Press R1 without moving Left Stick |
| Stride Deke | Press LB and Move Left Stick while gliding | Press L1 and Move Left Stick while gliding |
| Backhand Flip Deke | Move Right Stick towards Backhand then Press LB + Press RT | Move Right Stick towards Backhand then Press L1 + Press R2 |
| Forehand Flip Deke | Move Right Stick towards Forehand then Press LB + Press RT | Move Right Stick towards Forehand then Press L1 + Press R2 |
| Lacrosse Deke | Hold Y then Release | Hold Triangle then Release |
| Lacrosse Flip Pass | Hold Y then Press RB | Hold Triangle then Press R1 |
| Lacrosse Fake | Press Y + Press LB | Press Triangle + Press L1 |
| Backhand Tap Back Deke | Move Right Stick Right + Press LB + Move Right Stick Left + Move Left Stick Right + Move Right Stick Right | Move Right Stick Right + Press L1 + Move Right Stick Left + Move Left Stick Right + Move Right Stick Right |
| Forehand Tap Back Deke | Move Right Stick Downward Left between 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock positions then rotate counter clockwise + Press LB + Move Right Stick Right + Move Left Stick Left + Move Right Stick Right | Move Right Stick Downward Left between 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock positions then rotate counter clockwise + Press L1 + Move Right Stick Right + Move Left Stick Left + Move Right Stick Right |
| Jump Deke | Hold LB then Move Right Stick Up | Hold L1 then Move Right Stick Up |
| Skate Kick Deke | Hold LB then Move Right Stick Down | Hold L1 then Move Right Stick Down |
| Through The Legs Deke | Press LB then Move Right Stick Downward Left between 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock positions then rotate counter clockwise | Press L1 then Move Right Stick Downward Left between 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock positions then rotate counter clockwise |
| Cancel Deke | Press LB | Press L1 |
| Chop Puck | Press Right Stick then Move Right Stick | Press Right Stick then Move Right Stick |
NHL 25 Faceoff Controls
Here are all of the NHL 25 faceoff controls you'll need:
| Faceoff Move | NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Select Grip | Move Right Stick Left or Move Right Stick Right | Move Right Stick Left or Move Right Stick Right |
| Tie-Up | Move Left Stick Up | Move Left Stick Up |
| Stick Lift | Move Right Stick Up | Move Right Stick Up |
| Win Straight Back | Move Right Stick Down | Move Right Stick Down |
| Faceoff Shot | Move Right Stick Up without selecting a grip | Move Right Stick Up without selecting a grip |
| Faceoff Deke | Press LB + Move Right Stick Up without selecting a grip | Press L1 + Move Right Stick Up without selecting a grip |
NHL 25 Defense Controls
Here are the NHL 25 defensive controls you need to know:
| Defensive Move | NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Skate | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
| Hustle | Press Left Stick while going straight | Press L3 while going straight |
| Glide | Release Left Stick | Release Left Stick |
| Vision Control | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
| Switch Player | Press RT | Press R2 |
| Manual Switch Player | Hold RT + Move Right Stick | Hold R2 + Move Right Stick |
| Cancel Manual Switch Player | Hold RT + Press LB | Hold R2 + Press L1 |
| Manual Switch Player (Last Man Back) | Hold RT + Press Right Stick | Hold R2 + Press R3 |
| Push Check | Move Right Stick Up | Move Right Stick Up |
| Shoulder Check | Move Right Stick Down and then Move Right Stick Up | Move Right Stick Down and then Move Right Stick Up |
| Board Pin | Hold Y | Hold Triangle |
| Hip Check | Hold X | Hold Square |
| Poke Check | Press RB | Press R1 |
| Sweep Stick | Hold RB then Move Right Stick | Hold R1 then Move Right Stick |
| Chop Puck | Press Right Stick then Move Right Stick | Press R3 then Move Right Stick |
| Desperation Clear | Double Tap Right Stick Up | Double Tap Right Stick Up |
| Pass Block + Sweep Stick | Press LB then Move Right Stick Left or Move Right Stick Right | Press L1 then Move Right Stick Left or Move Right Stick Right |
| Stick Lift | Press A | Press X |
| Tie Up Stick | Hold A | Hold X |
| Block Pass | Press LB | Press L1 |
| Dive / Block | Press LB + Press RB | Press L1 + Press R1 |
| Slash | Press LT + Press Y after whistle | Press L2 + Press Triangle after whistle |
| Initiate Net Battle (in open ice) | Hold Y | Hold Triangle |
NHL 25 Goalie Controls
Before we outline the NHL 25 goalie controls, there are a few controller settings you need to consider. We'll be going over the Default scheme here, but choosing Alternate will swap several controls linked to triggers and bumpers and should be checked via Goalie Controls in Controller Settings if you make that change. Human Goalie Covers and Hug Post can be left on Auto, but players wanting full control of every move they make at goalie should set them to Manual.
Lastly, the Tether setting will determine whether your goalie naturally tethers themselves to a central location at the net. When you release the Left Stick and other buttons, your goalie will automatically pull back to the tether location to reset. Turning this off will mean that releasing buttons will instead leave you in your present location and requires you to manually return to the center of the net.
Now, here are all the NHL 25 goalie controls:
| Goalie Move | NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Move Goalie | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
| Challenge | Press Left Stick or Press LB | Press L3 or Press L1 |
| Butterfly | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
| Hug Post Left | Move Left Stick Left (if on Manual, Hold LB then Move Left Stick Left) | Move Left Stick Left (if on Manual, Hold L1 then Move Left Stick Left) |
| Hug Post Right | Move Left Stick Right (if on Manual, Hold LB then Move Left Stick Right) | Move Left Stick Right (if on Manual, Hold L1 then Move Left Stick Right) |
| Hug Post (VH) | Hold RT while in Hug Post | Hold R2 while in Hug Post |
| INSTINCT | Press LT | Press L2 |
| Diving Save | Press X then Move Left Stick Left or Right OR Press RB then Move Left Stick Left or Right | Press Square then Move Left Stick Left or Right OR Press R1 then Move Left Stick Left or Right |
| Diving Poke Check | Press X then Move Left Stick Up | Press Square then Move Left Stick Up |
| Spread V | Move Right Stick Away From Puck | Move Right Stick Away From Puck |
| Stack Pads | Press B then Move Left Stick Left or Right | Press Circle then Move Left Stick Left or Right |
| Butterfly Slides | Move Right Stick Lateral to Puck | Move Right Stick Lateral to Puck |
| Poke Check | Move Right Stick Up or Press Right Stick | Move Right Stick Up or Press R3 |
| Cover Puck | Hold Y | Hold Triangle |
| Free Skate | Press A | Press X |
| Dump Puck | Move Right Stick Up | Move Right Stick Up |
| Pass Puck | Press RT | Press R2 |
| Leave Puck for Teammate | Press LT | Press L2 |
NHL 25 Fighting Controls
Here are all the NHL 25 fighting controls you need to know:
| Fighting Move | NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Initiate/Accept Fight | Double Tap Y | Double Tap Triangle |
| Grab | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
| Fake Grab | Press LT | Press L2 |
| Overhand Punch | Move Right Stick Up | Move Right Stick Up |
| Uppercut | Move Right Stick Down | Move Right Stick Down |
| Push | Move Left Stick Up | Move Left Stick Up |
| Pull | Move Left Stick Down | Move Left Stick Down |
| Block/Lean Back | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
| Dodge | Press RT | Press R2 |
NHL 25 Coaching Adjustments & Net Battle Controls
Finally, here are the NHL 25 coaching controls you need to know:
| Coaching Adjustment |
NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Forecheck | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
| Breakout | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
| Defensive Line Change | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left |
| Offensive Line Change | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right |
Here are the NHL 25 Net Battle controls if you're the behind player:
| Net Battle (Behind Player) |
NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Engage in Net Battle | Hold Y | Hold Triangle |
| Switch Sides | Hold Y then Move Left Stick | Hold Triangle then Move Left Stick |
| Stick Lift | Press A | Press X |
| Stick Tie Up | Hold A | Hold X |
| Shove | Move Right Stick | Move Right Stick |
| Push | Move and Hold Left Stick | Move and Hold Left Stick |
Lastly, those in Net Battles as the front player should use these NHL 25 controls:
| Net Battle (Front Player) |
NHL 25 Xbox Controls | NHL 25 PlayStation Controls |
| Engage in Net Battle | Press LT and Move Left Stick | Press L2 and Move Left Stick |
| Shrug Off | Move Right Stick | Move Right Stick |
| Push | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
| Spin | Press LT | Press L2 |
That wraps up all the NHL 25 controls across every different facet of the game that players will need this year. If you're struggling to get any of these down while in an active game, spend some time in the training and practice modes. Free Skate is fantastic for practicing complex dekes or shots, and Team Practice will help fine tune other things like passing. It'll take some time to really master some moves, but you can use this guide as a reference any time you need a refresher.
