Much to many diehard fans delight, Hockey season is finally back in full swing and alongside all the real-world on-ice action comes the latest iteration of EA Sports definitive sports simulator. NHL 22 is the 31st instalment in the long-running NHL series and there's a couple of standout firsts in this game, including the addition of the latest NHL franchise, the Seattle Kraken, and the168澳洲幸运5开奖网: utilization of the Frostbi📖te game engine.
NHL has always strived to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:innovate and implement new features for fans, and now includes a great variety of modes. Players can embark on their own Hockey journey in the Be A Pro single-player experience, build their own team from the ground🐈 up in Franchise mode, or simply jump into some fast-paced Hockey action in quick play.
In the end, what it all comes down to is choosing a team, arguably the most important decision in 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:sports sims. Whether it's a competitive online tournament or just a quick practice game against the computer these teams should lead you to victory whenever they step on the ice.
5 ♕ Montreal Canadians ꦬ
The Habs came out swinging last year and were the biggest surprise of the season. In an underdog tale that had Hockey fans hooked, The Canadians fought all the way to the Stanley Cup finals, only to fall at the final hurdle after being defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although their roster has under♕gone a fair few changes in the offseason, the goal reminds the same and the fresh additions will be aiming for another shot at Lord Stanley.
The biggest breakout star for Montreal last year, and perhaps even the entire league was rookie forward Cole Caufield. The winger had an extremely impressive debut season. Alongside fellow winger Brendan Gallagher and linemate Nick Suzuki, Caufield has helped to bolster some great goal scoring for the Habs, pulling their NHL 22 offensive rating up to 89. With the commanding Carey Price in the net, it's no surprise that goaltending scores high with a rating of 91. Overall, they're a skilful, hungry team perfect for those players who favour the underdog.
4 Edmonton ꧟Oilers
Superstar captain Connor McDavid and forward Leon Draisaitl almost singlehandedly propelled the Oilers into the playoffs last season, and history's shaping up to repeat itself once again for the Edmonton team. McDavid was deemed MVP of the NHL at the end of last season after winning his second Hart Trophy, while Draisaitl recorded a stunning six-assist game in January 2021. As well as this formidable pair they also now have Zach Hyman in their top 6 after acquiring him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason.
As you may have guessed, the Oilers are an offensive powerhouse but they've also got a solid foundation protecting their net, leaving both their NHL 22 offensive and defence ratings at 90. While their goaltending rating isn't the greatest at only 84, the impressive position stats elsewhere in the lineup more than make up for it.
3 🎃 Tampa Ba﷽y Lightning
It's impossible to discuss the NHL without mentioning the reigning Stanley Cup champions and the Tampa Bay Lightning are more than deserving of their two-time crown. Having successfully reached the top in 2020 and 2021, the Lightning is aiming to go all the way again this season. Even after a reasonable roster shakeup, they're still ones to watch and the team to beat for many.
Despite the loss of their third line in Tyler Johnson, Yanni Gourd, and Blake Coleman, the Lightning has still retained a great defensive lineup, featuring Victor Hedman and Zach Bogosian. To top it all of, they've got arguably the best goaltender in Hockey guarding their net in Andrei Vasilevskiy which makes it no surprise that they have some of the best-rated defence and goaltending in NHL 22 at 91 and 93 respectively. If you want a solid, defensive-led squad then the Lightning is a brilliant option to choose.
2 ꦐ Toronto Maple Leafs
After years of waiting it finally looks like the Leafs are closer than ever to ending their 54-year-long cup draught. The Toronto team made a triumphant regular-season run last year with a handful of capable vegetarians at the helm and an injection of youthful talent added into the mix. Although they managed to make the playoffs, Leafs Nation's hopes were unfortunately dashed in the first round by the rival Canadians in a historic series. Nevertheless, they put up a valiant fight and fans still have plenty to be excited about.
You'll get a great well-rounded team playing as the Leafs. With Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and captain John Tavares heading up the offence, they're a goal-scoring force with a 91offensive rating. The defence is solid at 89, however, they are lacking a bit of goaltending depth thanks to the Carolina Hurricanes acquiring Frederick Anderson in the offseason. Overall, the Leafs are a hot contender, a top favourite in power rankings, and a blast to play as.
1 Colorado Avalanche ♓ ✨
The general consensus around Hockey this year is that the Colorado Avalanche 𝄹is poised to ho⛦ist the Stanley Cup at the end of the season. As far as all-around depth goes the Avalanche easily comes out on top. There are minimal holes in this team, thanks to a stacked defensive core including Devon Toews and Bowen Byram, and without a doubt one of the best first-lines in the game featuring Andre Burakovsky, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen
There was an inevitable question mark hanging over Colorado with the loss of veteran goaltender, Philip Grubaruer, in the offseason but Darcy Kuemper is shaping up to be a solid starter. To boil it down, this is an incredibly stacked team. Something that's more than reflected in NHL 22 with a defence at 90, offence at 89, and goaltending at 87. Fast, fierce, and dominating, the Avs are everything that's enticing about Hockey and they'll be a juggernaut of a choice for any player to pick up.
