NHL 23: Complete Controls Guide (Goalie, Faceoffs, Offense, and Defense) for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, & Xbox Series X|S

Here’re all of the NHL 23 controls for deking, skaters, goaltenders, enforcers, and faceoff centers in the game.

NHL 23: Complete Controls Guide (Goalie, Faceoffs, Offense, and Defense) for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, & Xbox Series X|S explained in detail

NHL 23 offers three sets of controls for you to use: NHL 94, Hybrid, and Skill Stick. While the goalie, fighting, and faceoff controls remain mostly the same between all three – with the exception of faceoffs in NHL 94 controls – the skater controls vary a great deal.

On this page, you can find all of the NHL 23 controls for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, including deke controls, fight controls, faceoff controls, goalie controls, and skater controls.

In this guide, the controls which involve the right or the left analogue on either the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S controller will be denoted as L and R, with the pressing of each analogue to activate its button being shown as L3 and R3.

NHL 94 controls in NHL 23

NHL 23 controller NHL 94 controls

The NHL 94 controls setting in NHL 23 is best suited to newcomers of the game franchise and those who don’t have a lot of experience with sports games. NHL 94 controls cover all of the basics, allowing for you to quickly come to grips with the game and compete on the ice.

NHL 94 Offense PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Move Player L L
Hustle (Sprint) Square X
Pass X A
Shoot Circle B
Initiate & Accept Fight Triangle (double-tap) Y (double-tap)
Spin L2 LT
NHL 94 Faceoffs PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Faceoff Win X (timed with the puck drop) A (timed with the puck drop)
NHL 94 Dekes PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Backhand Toe Drag Shot L1 + Square LB + X
Backhand Toe Drag Flip L1 + Square + R1 LB + X + RB
Backhand Toe Drag Pass L1 + Square + X LB + X + A
One-Handed Tuck L1 + R1 LB + RB
Between-the-Legs Shot L1 + Circle LB + B
Between-the-Legs Pass L1 + X LB + A
Between-the-Legs Deke L1 + Triangle LB + Y
NHL 94 Defense PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Move Player L L
Hustle (Sprint) Square X
Change Player X A
Checking Circle B
Initiate & Accept Fight Triangle (double-tap) Y (double-tap)
Poke Check R1 RB

NHL 23 Hybrid controls

NHL 23 controller hybrid controls

NHL 23’s Hybrid controls suit those who have experience with EA Sports games, with many of the action buttons being assigned to the four symbol buttons on the right side of either console controller. Through the use of the Hybrid controls, you’ll be able to perform the vast majority of the actions available in NHL 23 through a more familiar controller setup.

Hybrid Offense PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Skating & Shot and Pass Aim L L
Hustle (Sprint) L3 L3
Pass X A
Slap Shot Circle B
Wrist Shot Square X
Protect Puck Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Reverse Hit & Brace (while gliding) Triangle Y
Cancel Shot L1 (hold) LB (hold)
Saucer Pass R1 RB
One-Touch Dekes L1 LB
Vision Control L2 LT
Line Change Hold L2 + Circle & Square Hold RT + B & X
Initiate & Accept Fight Triangle + Triangle (double-tap) Y + Y (double-tap)
Spin L2 LT
Quick Players D-pad D-pad
Hybrid Defense PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Move Player L L
Hustle (Sprint) L3 L3
Switch Player X or R2 A or RT
Manual Switch Player Hold R2 + R Hold RT + R
Cancel Manual Switch Player Hold R2 + L1 Hold RT + LB
Switch to Last Skater back Hold R2 + R3 Hold RT + R3
Body Check Circle B
Poke Check R1 RB
Sweep Stick Hold R1 + R (swing) Hold RB + R (swing)
Stick Lift Square X
Block Pass L1 (hold) LB (hold)
Dive & Block L1 + R1 LB + RB
Initiate & Accept Fight Triangle + Triangle (double-tap) Y + Y (double-tap)
Boardplay (when near the boards) Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Initiate Net Battle (in open ice) Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Line Changes Hold R2 + Circle or Square Hold RT + B or X
Quick Plays D-Pad D-Pad
Hybrid Net Battles (Behind Player) PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Engage in a Net Battle Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Switch Sides Triangle (hold) + L Y (hold) + L
Stick Lift Square X
Stick Tie-Up Square (hold) X (hold)
Shove Circle B
Push L (hold in the direction) L (hold in the direction)
Hybrid Net Battles (Front Player) PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X Controls
Engage in a Net Battle L2 + L LT + L
Shrug Off Circle B
Push L L
Spin L2 LT

NHL 23 Skill Stick controls

NHL 23 controller skill stick controls

The Skill Stick controls of NHL 23 offer you the full scope of play, including more options as a skater and better control over the stick of each player. Skill Stick gives you the most control of the puck while also providing more skill-based moves.

NHL 23 controller skill based moves controls
Skill Stick Offense PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Skating & Shot and Pass Aim L L
Hustle (Sprint) L3 L3
Glide Release L Release L
Vision Control L2 (hold) LT (hold)
Wind Up & Shoot R (up), R (down) R (up), R (down)
Fake Shot R (down), release R (down), release
Pass R2 RT
Strong Pass R2 (hold) RT (hold)
Saucer Pass R1 RB
Deke R (right), R (left) R (right), R (left)
One-Touch Dekes L + L1 L + LB
Spin L2 LT
Leg Kick R3 R3
Dump the Puck R1 + R (up) RB + R (up)
Protect the Puck X A
Reverse Hit & Brace (while gliding) X A
Chop the Puck R3 + R R3 + R
Line Change Circle & Square B & X
Boardplay (when near the boards) Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Cancel Pass While Holding L1 LB
Quick Plays D-Pad D-Pad
NHL 23 controller defense controls
Skill Stick Defense PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Skate L L
Hustle (Sprint) L3 L3
Switch Player R2 RT
Manual Switch Player Hold R2 + R Hold RT + R
Cancel Manual Switch Player Hold R2 + L1 Hold RT + LB
Switch to the Last Skater Back Hold R2 + R3 Hold RT + R3
Vision Control L2 (hold) LT (hold)
Body Check R R
Poke Check R1 RB
Sweep Stick Hold R1 + R Hold RB + R
Chop Puck R3 + R R3 + R
Pass Block + Sweep Stick L1 + R (side-to-side) LB + R (side-to-side)
Stick Lift X A
Hip Check R3 + L1 R3 + LB
Block Pass L1 LB
Dive & Block L1 + R1 LB + RB
Initiate & Accept Fight Triangle + Triangle (double-tap) Y + Y (double-tap)
Boardplay (when near the boards) Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Initiate Net Battle (in open ice) Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Line Change Circle or Square B or X
Tie-Up Player’s Stick X (hold) A (hold)
Quick Plays D-Pad D-Pad
Skill Stick Net Battles (Behind Player) PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Engage in a Net Battle Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Switch Sides Triangle (hold) + L Y (hold) + L
Stick Lift X A
Stick Tie-Up X (hold) A (hold)
Shove R R
Push L (hold in the direction) L (hold in the direction)
Skill Stick Net Battles (Front Player) PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Engage in a Net Battle L2 + L LT + L
Shrug Off R R
Push L L
Spin L2 LT

How to hip check in NHL 23

The hip check is a favoured manoeuvre of defending players in NHL 23, with a well-timed hip check being devastating to a puck carrier.

To perform a hip check in NHL 23 using the Skill Stick, you need to:

  • Hustle towards the opponent (hold R3);
  • When you get close, press L1 or LB before impact to power through them with a hip check

NHL 23 faceoff controls

NHL 23 controller faceoff controls

In the NHL 94 Controls, all you have to do is time the pressing of the X or A button with the puck drop to contend for a win in the faceoff circle. It’s a bit more complicated with Hybrid and Skill Stick controls as you need to use both analogues to set your grip and then direct your attack in the duel.

The most basic approach to winning a faceoff in NHL 23 is: 

  • Set your grip (hold R to the left or right);
  • As the puck drops, push R upwards to perform a stick lift, and then quickly pull back on R for a straight win back;
  • Use L to direct where the puck goes when you pull R back to win the faceoff.

As for the grip selection of your faceoff center, the faceoff controls listed below assume a left-shot center (when looking over their shoulder, the toe of the stick is to their left). For a right-shot center, your grip controls will be in the opposite direction.

NHL 23 Faceoff Controls PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Backhand Grip R (hold right for a left-shot player) R (hold right for a left-shot player)
Forehand Grip R (hold left for a left-shot player) R (hold left for a left-shot player)
Tie-Up L (upwards) L (upwards)
Stick Lift R (upwards) R (upwards)
Straight Win Back R (downwards) R (downwards)
Faceoff Shot (Without Grip) R (upwards) R (upwards)
Faceoff Deke (Without Grip) L1 + R (upwards) LB + R (upwards)

NHL 23 Fighting controls

Once you’ve initiated a fight, either by double-tapping Triangle or Y, or committing a serious foul or unsportsmanlike conduct offense, you’ll then square off against your opponent. For the NHL 94, Hybrid, and Skill Stick controller setups in NHL 23, the fighting controls are the same, which you can see below.

NHL 23 controller fighting controls
NHL 23 Fighting PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Grab L2 (hold) LT (hold)
Fake Grab L2 LT
Overhand Punch R (upwards) R (upwards)
Uppercut R (downwards) R (downwards)
Push L (upwards) L (upwards)
Pull L (downwards) L (downwards)
Block & Lean Back R2 (hold) RT (hold)
Dodge R2 RT

NHL 23 complete deke controls list

NHL 23 controller complete deke controls list

While the NHL 94 Controls offer a good selection of deke moves, the Hybrid and Skill Stick controls provide a full slate of crafty manoeuvres.

NHL 23 Deke PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Backhand Toe Drag R3 + R (downwards) R3 + R (downwards)
Backhand Toe Drag Flip R3 + R (downwards) + R1 R3 + R (downwards) + RB
Backhand Toe Drag Shot R3 + R (downwards) + R (upwards) R3 + R (downwards) + R (upwards)
Backhand Toe Drag Pass R3 + R (downwards) + R2 R3 + R (downwards) + RT
One-Hand Deke (Left-Handed) Backhand + L1 + R (right-to-left) Backhand + LB + R (right-to-left)
One-Hand Deke (Right-Handed) Backhand + L1 + R (right-to-left) Backhand + LB + R (right-to-left)
One-Handed Tuck Backhand or Forehand + L1 + R1 Backhand or Forehand + LB + RB
Between-the-Legs Shot L1 + R3 + R (upwards) LB + R3 + R (upwards)
Between-the-Legs Pass L1 + R3 + X LB + R3 + A
Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass L1 + R3 + R1 LB + R3 + RB
Slip Deke (Near Boards) L1 LB
Drop Pass R1 (without using L) RB (without using L)
Board-Bank Self-Pass (Near Boards) L1 + R2 LB + RT
Behind-the-Net Self-Pass L1 + R2 LB + RT
Flip Deke Backhand or Forehand + L1 + R2 Backhand or Forehand + LB + RT
Lacrosse Deke Forehand + L1 (hold) + R3 (hold) + R (left-to-right) Forehand + LB (hold) + R3 (hold) + R (left-to-right)
Stride Deke L1 + L (to either side) LB + L (to either side)
Fake Deke Stride Deke (Forehand) + R (Backhand) Stride Deke (Forehand) + R (Backhand)
Backhand Tap Back Deke R (right) + L1 + R (left) + L (right) + R (right) R (right) + LB + R (left) + L (right) + R (right)
Forehand Tap Back Deke R (left-to-right) + L1 + R (right) + L (left) + R (left) R (left-to-right) + LB + R (right) + L (left) + R (left)
Jump Deke L1 + R (upwards) LB + R (upwards)
Skate Kick Deke L1 + R (downwards) LB + R (downwards)
Through-the-Legs Deke L1 + R (left-to-right) LB + R (left-to-right)

NHL 23 goalie controls

NHL 23 controller goalie controls

If you fancy taking on the responsibilities of playing as your team’s netminder with any of the controller settings selected, you’ll need to master all of these NHL 23 goalie controls.

NHL 23 controller goalie controls console
NHL 23 Goalie PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
Toggle Manual Goalie L1 + X LB + A
Change Camera View Touchpad View
Move Goalie L L
Butterfly R2 (hold) RT (hold)
Paddle Down R2 (hold) + X RT (hold) + A
Hug Left Post L1 + L (left) LB + L (left)
Hug Right Post L1 + L (right) LB + L (right)
Hug Post (VH) L1 + L (left) & L (right) + R2 LB + L (left) & L (right) + RT
Precision Modifier L2 LT
Diving Save Square + L (left) & L (right) X + L (left) & L (right)
Diving Poke Check Square + L (up) X + L (up)
Spread V R (away from the puck) R (away from the puck)
Stack Pads Circle + L (left) & L (right) B + L (left) & L (right)
Butterfly Slides R (lateral to the puck) R (lateral to the puck)
Poke Check R (upwards) R (upwards)
Cover Puck Triangle (hold) Y (hold)
Free Skate X A
Dump Puck R (upwards) R (upwards)
Pass Puck R2 RT
Leave Puck for Teammate L2 LT
Pull/Replace Goalie L2 + Touchpad LT + View

NHL 23 Goalie Alternate Controls

If you prefer to play in goal with a slightly different set of controls to the default, try out NHL 23’s Goalie Alternate Controls set-up.

NHL 23 Alt. Goalie PS4 & PS5 Controls Xbox One & Series X|S Controls
 Pull & Replace Goalie  L2 Touchpad  LT + View
 Manual Goalie Toggle  L1 + X  LB + A
 Move Goalie  L  L
 Precision Modifier  L1  LB
 Free Skate  X  A
 Pass Puck  R2 & X  RT & A
 Poke Check  R (upwards)  R (upwards)
 Change Camera View  TouchPad  View
 Cover Puck  Triangle (hold)  Y (hold)
 Butterfly  L2 (hold)  LT (hold)
 Hug Post R2 + L (side-to-side) + L2  RT + L (side-to-side)
 Hug Post (VH) R2 + L (side-to-side) + L2 RT + L (side-to-side) + LT
 Dump Puck  R (upwards)  R (upwards)
 Leave Puck for Teammate  L2  LT
Diving Poke Check Square + R (upwards) X + R (upwards)
Stack Pads Circle + L (side-to-side) B + L (side-to-side)
Spread V R (away from the puck) R (away from the puck)
Butterfly Slides R (side-to-side) R (side-to-side)
Diving Save Square + L (side-to-side) X + L (side-to-side)
 Paddle Down  L2 (hold) + X (hold)  LT (hold) + A (hold)

Whether you’re fighting, deking, in the faceoff circle, defending, on the attack, or in the crease, those are all of the NHL 23 controls that you need to play the game.

Looking for goalies? Check out our complete NHL 23 goalie control guide.

Got tips? Let the Outsider Gaming team know in the comments.


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