Contents
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.
READ MORE: NHL 21: Complete Controls Guide (Goalie, Faceoffs, Offense, and Defense) for PS4 and Xbox One
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 |
Whether it’s having a fight, blocking the puck, firing a slap shot, or trying to make a save: these are the NHL 20 controls that you need to know.
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