NHL 20: Complete Controls Guide (Goalie, Offense and Defense) for Xbox One and PS4

There are three different sets of controls in NHL 20 as well as default set-ups for goalie controls, fighting controls, and net battle controls.

Here, we’ll be going through all three of the skater controls – NHL 94, Skill Stick, and Hybrid – as well as the goalie, fighting, and net battles controls. This guide also includes all of the key deke controls.

In this guide, the controls which involve the right or the left analogue on either the Xbox One or PS4 controller will be denoted as ‘R’ or ‘L,’ with any required direction tacked-on via a hyphen.

NHL 94 Controls in NHL 20

NHL 94 Controls are best suited to newcomers or those who do not or cannot use the full span of the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 controller. The simple controls can also make for good fun as a rule type on NHL 20.

These controls set up a strong base for newcomers to get used to NHL 20 and then move onto more expansive controller sets, such as Hybrid. As you can see above, the controls are basically just using the left analog to move, B to shoot or body check, and A to pass or switch player.

Offense Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Move Player	L	L
Hustle	X	Square
Pass	A	X
Shoot	B	Circle
Initiate / Accept Fight	Y + Y (Double Tap)	Triangle + Triangle (Double Tap)
Spin	LT	L2

Deke Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Backhand Toe Drag	RS + R-back	R3 + R-back
Backhand Toe Drag Flip	RS + R-back + RB	R3 + R-back + RB
Left-Hand One Hand Deke	Backhand + LB + R-up	Backhand + L1 + R-up
Right-Hand One Hand Deke	Backhand + LB + R-up	Backhand + L1 + R-up
One-Handed Tuck	Backhand/Forehand + LB + RB	Backhand/Forehand + L1 + R1
Between-the-Legs Shot	LB + RS + R-shoot	L1 + R3 + R-shoot
Between-the-Legs Pass	LB + RS + RT	L1 + R3 + R2
Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass	LB + RS + RB	L1 + R3 + R1

Defense Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Move Player	L	L
Hustle	X	Square
Change Player	A	X
Checking	B	Circle
Initiate / Accept Fight	Y + Y (Double Tap)	Triangle + Triangle (Double Tap)

NHL 20 Hybrid Controls

The Hybrid controls in NHL 20 are much better suited to players who have a good understanding of the game and have perhaps also played other sports games from EA Sports.

With this control set, the symbol buttons on the right side of the controller with either the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 are the focus for passing, shooting, checking, and changing player.

Offense Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Skating / Shot and Pass Aim	L	L
Pass	A	X
Slap Shot	B	Circle
Wrist Shot	X	Square
Cancel Shot	LB (Hold)	L1 (Hold)
Saucer Pass	RB	R1
One-Touch Dekes	LB	L1
Vision Control	LT	L2
Line Change	Hold RT + B / X	Hold L2 + Circle / Square
Initiate / Accept Fight	Y + Y (Double Tap)	Triangle + Triangle (Double Tap)
Spin	LT	L2

Deke Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Backhand Toe Drag	RS + R-back	R3 + R-back
Backhand Toe Drag Flip	RS + R-back + RB	R3 + R-back + RB
Left-Hand One Hand Deke	Backhand + LB + R-up	Backhand + L1 + R-up
Right-Hand One Hand Deke	Backhand + LB + R-up	Backhand + L1 + R-up
One-Handed Tuck	Backhand/Forehand + LB + RB	Backhand/Forehand + L1 + R1
Between-the-Legs Shot	LB + RS + R-shoot	L1 + R3 + R-shoot
Between-the-Legs Pass	LB + RS + RT	L1 + R3 + R2
Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass	LB + RS + RB	L1 + R3 + R1

Defense Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Move Player	L	L
Switch Player	A / RT	X / R2
Manual Switch Player	Hold RT + R	Hold R2 + R
Cancel Manual Switch Player	Hold RT + LB	Hold R2 + L1
Switch to Last Skater back	Hold RT + RS	Hold R2 + R3
Body Check	B	Circle
Poke Check	RB	R1
Sweep Stick	Hold RB + Swing R	Hold R1 + Swing R
Stick Lift	X	Square
Block Pass	Hold LB	Hold L1
Dive / Block	LB + RB	L1 + R1
Initiate / Accept Fight	Y + Y (Double Tap)	Triangle + Triangle (Double Tap)
Boardplay (when near the boards)	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
Initiate Net Battle (in open ice)	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
Line Changes	Hold RT + B / X	Hold R2 + Circle / Square

NHL 20 Skill Stick Controls

The Skill Stick controls are widely considered to be the best to use in NHL 20. They offer the most depth and control in each play, when on the puck or off the puck.

However, Skill Stick controls can be difficult to get used to if you’re more accustomed to other sports games or enjoy using the Hybrid controls. If you want the complete scale of controls in NHL 20, though, it’s well worth learning the Skill Stick controls.

Offense Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Skating / Shot and Pass Aim	L	L
Hustle	LS	L3
Glide	Release L	Release L
Vision Control	Hold LT	Hold L2
Wind Up / Shoot	R-up, R-down	R-up, R-down
Fake Shot	R-down, Release	R-down, Release
Pass	RT	R2
Strong Pass	Hold RT	Hold R2
Saucer Pass	RB	R1
Deke	R-right, R-left	R-right, R-left
One-Touch Dekes	L + LB	L + L1
Spin	LT	L2
Leg Kick	RS	R3
Dump the Puck	RB + R-up	R1 + R-up
Protect the Puck	A	X
Chop the Puck	RS + R	R1 + R
Line Change	B / X	Circle / Square
Boardplay (when near the boards)	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
Cancel Pass While Holding	LB	L1

Deke Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Backhand Toe Drag	RS + R-back	R3 + R-back
Backhand Toe Drag Flip	RS + R-back + RB	R3 + R-back + RB
Left-Hand One Hand Deke	Backhand + LB + R-up	Backhand + L1 + R-up
Right-Hand One Hand Deke	Backhand + LB + R-up	Backhand + L1 + R-up
One-Handed Tuck	Backhand/Forehand + LB + RB	Backhand/Forehand + L1 + R1
Between-the-Legs Shot	LB + RS + R-shoot	L1 + R3 + R-shoot
Between-the-Legs Pass	LB + RS + RT	L1 + R3 + R2
Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass	LB + RS + RB	L1 + R3 + R1

Defense Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Skate	L	L
Switch Player	RT	R2
Manual Switch Player	Hold RT + R	Hold R2 + R
Cancel Manual Switch Player	Hold RT + LB	Hold R2 + L1
Switch to the Last Skater Back	Hold RT + RS	Hold R2 + R3
Vision Control	Hold LT	Hold R2
Body Check	R	R
Poke Check	RB	R1
Sweep Stick	Hold RB + R	Hold R1 + R
Chop Puck	RS + R	R3 + R
Pass Block + Sweep Stick	LB + R-right, R-left	L1 + R-right, R-left
Stick Lift	A	X
Hip Check	RS + LB	R3 + L1
Block Pass	LB	L1
Dive / Block	LB + RB	L1 + R1
Initiate / Accept Fight	Y + Y (Double Tap)	Triangle + Triangle (Double Tap)
Boardplay (when near the boards)	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
Initiate Net Battle (in open ice)	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
Line Change	B / X	Circle / Square
Tie Up Player’s Stick	Hold A	Hold X

NHL 20 Fighting Controls

One of the most noticeable improvements from NHL 19 to NHL 20 is the fighting and the ability to win fights. The fighting controls are quite simple, but they are deep enough that you can vary your approach to win a fight in NHL 20.

Fighting Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Grab	Hold LT	Hold L2
Fake Grab	LT	L2
Overhand Punch	R-up	R-up
Uppercut	R-down	R-down
Push	L-up	L-up
Pull	L-down	L-down
Block / Lean Back	Hold RT	Hold R2
Dodge	RT	R2

NHL 20 Net Battles Controls

Net Battles have become a crucial part of the NHL 20 gameplay, and so it’s good to know the controls. Using these net battle controls, you can gain an edge over your opponent by blocking the view of the goaltender or creating a shooting lane.

Net Battles Controls	Xbox One	PS4
(Behind Player) Engage in Net Battle	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
(Behind Player) Switch Sides	Hold Y + L	Hold Triangle + L
(Behind Player) Stick Lift	A	X
(Behind Player) Stick Tie Up	Hold A	Hold X
(Behind Player) Shove	R	R
(Behind Player) Push	Hold L	Hold L
(Front Player) Engage in Net Battle	LT + L	L2 + L
(Front Player) Shrug Off	R	R
(Front Player) Push	L	L
(Front Player) Spin	LT	L2

NHL 20 Goalie Controls

Playing as the goaltender in NHL 20 is a very difficult task. But if you perfect the craft of stopping the puck, you can become a highly-coveted player among online teams.

Goalie controls in NHL 20 use many different buttons, so it’s all about getting used to the full span and gaining enough experience that your use of the controls is all-but reactionary. It’s difficult to master, but it’s certainly a different way to experience the game.

Goalie Controls	Xbox One	PS4
Toggle Manual Goalie	LB + A	L1 + X
Move Goalie	L	L
Butterfly	Hold RT	Hold R2
Paddle Down	Hold R-down	Hold R-down
Hug Left Post	LB + L-left	L1 + L-left
Hug Right Post	LB + L-right	L1 + L-right
Hug Post (VH)	LB + L-left / L-right + RT	L1 + L-left / L-right + R2
Precision Modifier	LT	L2
Diving Save	X + L-left / L-right	Triangle + L-left / L-right
Diving Poke Check	X + L-up	Triangle + L-up
Spread V	X + L-down	Triangle + L-down
Stack Pads	B + L-left / L-right	Circle + L-left / L-right
Butterfly Slides	R-left / R-right	R-left / R-right
Poke Check	R-up	R-up
Cover Puck	Hold Y	Hold Triangle
Free Skate	A	X
Dump Puck	R-up	R-up
Pass Puck	RT	R2
Leave Puck for Teammate	LT	L2