Good defensive strategy for NHL 2004?

King Cobra · 11-02-2006, 01:08 PM

Can anyone advise me about how to come up with a good defensive strategy for NHL 2004?

I bought this game some months ago and I've been playing occasionally the recent time. I like the game but:

When I play in the "medium" mode, I'm outgunned by my opponents, even if I have strong teams like Vancouver or New Jersey (not to mention my favorite Blackhawks).

I've tried every possible way to play a good defense, I also bought an new gamepad but I'm often outskated and outgunned by my opponents. They can shoot and score from every angle which is impossible for my players. Try to hit them, they just pass by or a second attacker gets the puck and shoots. They can score from every possible angle, I can't.

Having played with New Jersey and lost to Pittsburgh 2-8 and the shots were 36-75 makes the whole game silly.

I do win from time to time, yes but I have to rely on very strong goaltending (Brodeur or someone as good). If I have to use the backup goalie, then I'm smoked.

I have tried the "easy" mode but then I get those ridiculous results like 10-5, 11-7, 9-6 and such. One game I was struggling 2-6 but managed to win 11-7 by making one forward go round the goal and shoot near the far post. I did it over and over again. It was ridiculous, the goalies are just so incredible lousy in "easy" mode so I prefer the "medium". But then I'm outgunned.

Is it no way to play a solid defense and avoid being outgunned in most of the games?

jonapaloma · 11-04-2006, 07:48 AM

do you use the speed burst button...

try to change the ai sliders, try changing the player/goalie boost

Yammer · 11-04-2006, 01:16 PM

also you said "strong" teams and then you listed Vancouver and Chicago...

King Cobra · 11-05-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yammer

also you said "strong" teams and then you listed Vancouver and Chicago...

Well, Vancouver is considered rather strong in this game.

I've been dabbling with some of the slides, we'll see what I can come up with. As for the speed button, I use it frequently but I still have a feeling that my fastest players skates like my grandma compared to the opponent players.

King Cobra · 11-07-2006, 05:06 PM

Deleted by King Cobra becasuse the post was stupid and written in a bad mood. NHL 04 rocks!

King Cobra · 11-08-2006, 05:56 AM

Ah, forget the message above. Just me getting frustrated after damaging my thumb and the gamepad almost at the same time. I'll probably try again when I've bought a new gamepad.

Which I did. I also finally found the best settings for playing exciting and interesting games. NHL04 rocks!!!!!!!!

KawaKasper · 11-04-2007, 07:19 AM

this post is old, i know...

but i´ve just installed 2004 again, but it´s very hard to score. I play with fixed center position at medium leverl, but most games end with 2:1 for the opponent. In the first period it seems alway very balanced, but in the two other periods my opponent seems always to get very strong...

Is anyone still playing 2004 and can give me some ai sliders settings ?