One factor that will dramatically improve your goal scoring is an understanding of scoring angles. Like in soccer, it is very difficult to score a goal from outside the hashes. The reason is that the surface area of exposed net will be smaller from this angle and the goalie (who will likely turn to face you) will bloat out much of the exposed goal.
For this reason, you will almost always want to take shots from the area highlighted in the graphic to the right. This area represents both the slot and the high slot (closer to the blue line). Similarly, on defense, you want to be sure to guard this area relentlessly, even if it means leaving the puck handler alone on the wings. This is especially so in penalty killing situations as you may not always have someone in position to pressure the puck. The fact is, players in the slot and high slot represent the only significant threat as most goalies will easily defend shots from the wings.
While we have used NHL 09 to illustrate the example below, this philosophy applies equally to NHL 2K9 as well. (both close-ups and overhead views are provided)
Example 1:
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| Here, the puck handler is in the attacking zone but has been forced to the outside by the defense. Notice how little of the goal is exposed from this angle. Even if the puck handler was able to rifle a slap shot from this position, the likelihood of scoring would be next to nil. | |
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| The puck handler instead elects to pass the puck in between the defenders to a cutter entering the slot. | |
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| From this position, the puck recipient is in prime position for a shot. | |
Although the shot in the example didn't result in a goal (missed far left), setting up your offense for shots from the point and high point will result in more goals. As in the example, passes that originate from the outside into the slot are especially effective as the goalie will likely need a few moment to reposition himself.
