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Published on September 9th, 2025 | by Paul Stuart

NHL 26 Review (PS5)

Like the little on-ice engine that could, NHL 26 is an incremental improvement from NHL 25 and yet another positive step forward. It is certainly not, however, the bold leap taken with Madden 26 that truly redefined the series.

What returns from NHL 25 is now noticeably better. ICE-Q, the analytics engine supported by a visually strong AR shell, is now at version 2.0. In NHL 26 ICE-Q is backed by NHL EDGE data, which yields authentic and real time AR display of game relevant statistical information. This seamless weaving of NHL EDGE creates tremendous overall immersion, with stat heads sure to love the evolution away from static stats borrowed from 2025. For instance, NHL 26 sports real time faceoff success percentages of opposing players, also situational goalie statistical info.

The most relevant aspect of ICE-Q 2.0 is the massive leap in player attributes and tendencies absent from previous titles in the series. While highly skilled players could skate faster, shoot stronger or hit harder than those at lower skill levels, this mainly translated to an OP version of lesser dudes. Similarly, lower ranked goalies would simply let in more bad shots typically under arms and ricocheting off equipment. In NHL 25, Connor McDavid had better turbo, a harder shot, and quicker stickhandling, but he never really felt like Connor McDavid.

In NHL 26 – and buoyed by individual player attributes and now 28(!) X-Factors, players now noticeably play like themselves. McDavid, as a continued example, will burst faster and also blow by chasing players, likewise have noticeably better puck control between the circles when defending against opposing stick checks. Similarly, Ovi can set up in Ovi’s kitchen, ready to fire his patented one timer with highest likelihood of success especially with continued zone pressure.

Goalies receive perhaps the largest set of upgrades, with almost all canned animations gone. While I didn’t see any noticeably unique animations for a specific goalie (outside of butterly versus traditional stance), the flopping around in hopes of a miracle save now resemble deliberate reactions to cross-crease passes, desperation glove saves and kicks, and much realistic blocker play.

Defensively, ICE-Q is so welcome. Spam poke checking is no longer always effective, and it’s possible to beat a defender 1:1…and realistically almost never against multiple defenders unless a player has highest puck possession abilities (e.g. Auston Matthews). Defensive positioning begets better CPU AI adjustment in the offensive zone, and the usual blue line cycle to unstoppable down low pass is no longer nerfed. Forecheck mechanics are also improved, as is now possible – albeit still overly favoring puck carriers – to successful forecheck in the offensive zone. For skill stick aficionados, of which I am one, NHL 26 is a massive upgrade over NHL 25. Using the skill stick doesn’t automatically lead to tripping penalties just because. Covering space with a defender via skill stick will force CPU adjustment.

With this being said, NHL 26 isn’t the massive leap in power play strategy and execution I’d like, nor better implementation of offensively skilled defensemen to run said power play and dissolve a diamond shaped penalty kill. Mainly, CPU AI teammates remain a bit slow to adjust to player movements, semi-static near the circles and boards versus circling/cycling. Neutral zone play remains a weakness of NHL 26, where so much of actual NHL strategy is executed there. It continues to stretch passes while avoiding head hunting.

In NHL 26, player fatigue is now important. In the past, lines would tire in principle, but this wouldn’t be obvious in on-ice performance. Long shifts will now noticeably fatigue every player impacted, slowing them down and reducing acceleration. Still, fatigued players won’t always change lines when manually brought to the bench and in an appropriate situation. This is an easy patch to solve.

Shooting success feels more individual based on enhanced player attributes, but there’s still an over-emphasis on wrist shots for almost everything. It remains extremely challenging to get goalies to bite on forehand-backhand moves, and five-hole goals remain too few and far in between. Tap-ins are now here – yes! – but players with deflection attributes at higher tiers won’t naturally try to execute them. There are also mid-air rebounds, another welcome improvement.

Presentation-wise, NHL 26 remains a stud. In stadium lighting and on-ice presentation are jaw droppingly gorgeous, and these are somehow improved even more. Arena-specific visuals and intros are more prevalent, and these carry over into the Be a Pro mode. New net physics, dynamic cameras and lighting are very cool. Neck guards (mandatory in upcoming seasons within the NHL) are featured in Be a Pro.

On the UI/UX side and akin to NBA 2K, it would be nice to have real-life public-address announcers. NHL EDGE data improves already strong menus, but only slightly. Dynamic presentation greets team selection and opening screens, but almost no other upgrade present to any in-game menus. Soundtrack remains a bone of contention for me, as I’m not sure who the hard rock preference is designed for. I feel like I’m just getting yelled at, honestly.

If you look truly close, you will see some additional subtle but welcome improvements. Watching a player frustratingly raise his stick and look to the sky after an incredible save is just cool. Likewise better contact physics that doesn’t overly favor skilled players over defenders or heavy hitters in the reverse direction. The multi-tiered and heavily expanded X-Factor systems leads to each player literally playing differently, as almost everyone in the lineup falls somewhere across multiple areas within these X-Factor tiers.

For those who enjoy Be a Pro, this is the biggest mode upgrade in NHL 26. Lots of new cutscenes and presentation gains, consequences for media engagement, and an ability to grind from World Juniors to legitimate NHL prospects.

Created players for World of CHEL now benefit from the upgraded X-Factor system and can similarly level up across an array of X-Factors tiers via earned ability points. Finally, Hockey Ultimate Team now employs both a salary cap and new Cup Chase made, the latter an entirely offline full season mode.

All in all, NHL 26 does everything NHL 25 does…only better. NHL EDGE makes ICE-Q more enjoyable, visuals are stronger, and the expanded X-Factor and player attribute/tendency system introduces welcome individualism. Reduction of canned goalie animations is long overdue, in tandem. Yes, the Utah Mammoth is here as well, live from Salt Lake City.

Still, some previous criticisms remain in CPU AI on both ends of the ice, OP’d goalies, and nothing truly gameplay unique. Player contact physics can really benefit from subtle stick or body interaction, likewise more intelligent on-the-fly line changes. There is also too little variety in goalie play tendencies and performance.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to the next iteration of ICE-Q and massively overhauled X-Factor system, NHL 26 is a better version of NHL 25 that feels more player personalized. Everything looks and executes at a higher level, but improvements are subtle.

About the Author

Paul Stuart A gamer for over 30 years with 400+ reviews across four sites literally spanning the globe, Paul Stuart has an unhealthy obsession with Assassins Creed, God of War, and all things Lord of the Rings.

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