NHL 23: Everything We Know Ahead Of Launch

gamespot.com:

EA's professional ice hockey simulation series returns to the ice next month with NHL 23, and it promises some changes and improvements over last year's game. Fans can expect new «last-chance» moves, additional X-Factor abilities, improvements to AI goalies, the introduction of crossplay (finally!), and more.

Ahead of launch in October, we're rounding up everything you need to know before you lace up your skates and hit the ice.

NHL 23's official release date is October 14, but people who preorder the X-Factor Edition ($100 USD) can start playing three days early, beginning October 11. The game is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. As usual, the game is not in the works for PC or Nintendo Switch.

In a big shift, NHL 23 has two cover stars this year. Anaheim Ducks superstar Trevor Zegras is on the cover alongside Team Canada's Sarah Nurse. This is not only the first time the NHL series has had two cover stars, and it's the first time ever a woman has been on the cover.

Two cover athletes is not unprecedented for EA Sports, and it's in fact becoming more popular. Madden NFL 22 had Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady on the cover, while FIFA 23 has Kylian Mbappe and Sam Kerr on its cover.

One of the biggest updates for NHL 23 are «last-chance» moves. When players stumble on the ice, they can perform desperation moves like shooting and passing from their knees. This is an effort to bring flashy, highlight reel goals to the game to replicate what happens in the NHL. On that note, the «Zegras flip» has been added to NHL 23, too. This will allow players to alley-oop the puck to a player in front of the net just like Zegras did last season. According to EA, more than 500 «last-chance» moves have