Learning how to score on breakaways in NHL 22 will help you convert more of these unique goal-scoring opportunities. And despite having the freedom of not having any defenders chasing right behind you, many NHL players manage to mess up their breakaways and end up not putting the puck at the back of the net.
So, in this short article, I’ll show give you a few vital tips on scoring breakaways in NHL 22 as well as the best ways to score when awarded a breakaway.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Tips on Scoring on Breakaways in NHL 22
On breakaways, you have too much time to think, which is often going to confuse you and cause you to miss the large majority of your shots and attempts on target. Here’re a few tips on what you should do on breakaways to increase your goal conversions.
Know What You’re Going to Do Before You Start Skating
One of the worst things you can do on a breakaway is to start skating towards the goaltender without a clear strategy. That will most often than not result in the goaltender catching the puck and ending your goal-scoring opportunity.
To prevent that, create a plan and stick to it. Do you want to pull off the Michigan deke or go for the more simple forehand to the backhand and shoot technique? Knowing exactly what your plan is will help you skate towards the goaltender in the right manner in order to lure him in the right direction so that you can put the puck at the back of the net.
Practice the Breakaway a Thousand Times Over
Go on the free skate mode and practice the exact breakaway as many times as you need to until you start to score at least three out of your five attempts before you take it to the ice in a real match.
This tip is strongly linked with the first one but it’s true. If you don’t have a plan and aren’t prepared, you’ll most definitely waste goal-scoring opportunities that can cost you entire games.
On the other hand, if you come prepared and confident, you’ll see a positive return on the effort you put into practicing your finishing moves.
Use a Suitable Player for the Job
Before you set off on a breakaway, it’s important to pick a player that can get the job done. Someone with a decent combination of deking, shooting, and accuracy would help you to a tremendous extent in converting your goal-scoring opportunities.
Best Ways to Score on Breakaways in NHL 22
When on a breakaway, it’s you against the goaltender. You have the complete freedom to do whatever you want. You can shoot the hardest shot you can or try to outmaneuver the last man in defense in a fine and elegant fashion.
Here’re some of my favorites. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned NHL player, you’ll find something that fits your style and skill capacity.
The Lacrosse/Michigan Deke
First on our list is the Michigan deke, which is also known as the Lacrosse deke. This particular move is probably one of the most difficult and rewarding ways to score on a breakaway in the national hockey league.
From execution to timing to movement, you need to have everything lined up perfectly in order to successfully put the puck at the back of the net with the Lacrosse deke.
To score the Lacrosse deke, as you’re coming from behind the net, aim R3 towards the dominant hand of the player, then Hold L1 (LB for Xbox) + R3 (press down) and then move R3 clockwise from 3 to 9 o’clock. Sounds complicated? It is. It took me around 50 tries before I could even do it in practice mode, which is what I would recommend you before you bring this onto the ice in a proper game.
In our how to deke in NHL 22 guide, you can find out everything there is to know about executing the Michigan deke properly plus more.
The Datsyuk Flip
Pavel Datsyuk first scored the amazing flip deke goal against the Blackhawks in 2010, which later became a signature move used by many of the top players in the national hockey league.
It’s particularly useful during breakaways, which is why I am recommending it to you. In NHL 22, it goes in nearly every time, provided you’ve put in a decent amount of practice in getting the controls and timing right.
In order to score with the Datsyuk flip, skate towards either side of the post of the goal. Once you are in close proximity to the goaltender, move your right stick down and hold. Then, once you reach the exact angle for flicking the puck over the keeper, press R1 (for PS) or RB (for Xbox).
One-Handed Tuck Deke
One of the most useful dekes in NHL 22 on breakaways is the one-handed tuck deke. To perform this move, move your right analog stick either to the left or to the right (right for righties and left for lefties) and press and hold L1 + R1 or LB + RB depending on the platform you’re using.
In order to execute this deke with success, you need to drag the keeper to the side you’re skating towards so that the puck can then tightly fit through the gap between the keeper and the post and go into the net. Timing this deke is crucial as if you do it too early, the keeper will catch it and if you do it too late, you’ll most definitely miss the net as a whole.
Final Thoughts
Being awarded a breakaway is a fantastic opportunity to take your team one step closer to victory without having any opposing defenders breathing down your neck.
Since you’ll be in a 1v1 situation against the goaltender of the opposite team, it’s vital for you to skate down the ice with a clear strategy on how you’re going to get the puck behind the keeper and into the net. This will increase your conversion rates to a great extent.
