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
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’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
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.
| 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 |
| 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
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 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
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
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 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.
