NHL 24 testers are already sick of Michigan’s goals after the new control changes

Chris Studley

Some hockey fans got the opportunity to try NHL 24 through a special Community Playtest this week. However, some have pointed out that a very tough hockey move may have had very little to do with this year’s game.

Avid hockey fans know how difficult it is to make the move known as Michigan. Michigan is a lacrosse-style shot attempt made famous by former college hockey player Mike Legg, which involves the puck handler wrapping the net with the puck on a stick and pushing it toward the goal.

The EA Sports NHL team added the ability to test this move to the franchise a few years ago, but gave users a new way to do the move with the Total Control Skill Moves control layout.

Others, however, are no exception to how easy it is to pull off such a complex and difficult hockey maneuver.

Electronic Arts

Lacrosse goal changes in NHL 24 are getting mixed feedback

When EA Sports revealed the first details of NHL 24, the developers indicated that this year’s title will come with a new control scheme.

General Control of Movement Skillsas advertised by EA, it makes it easier to perform complex movements such as one-handed tucks, between the legs dekes, and even Michigan-style goals are easier to do.

This week, EA invited community members to participate in a Community Playtest for NHL 24. While many have not been made public due to the nature of the closed beta, some content creators have shared their think of social media.

Content creator and YouTuber Nasher pointed out that he “scored more Michigan goals in NHL 24 than he did all year in NHL 23.”

I’ve scored a lot of goals in Michigan #NHL24 than a whole year in NHL 23?

— Nasher (@TheNasher61) August 22, 2023

Some expressed frustration that it was easier to score a lacrosse-style goal in the beta. An NHL player said, “One button is disgusting. Obviously you’ve done it a ton, but it’s not that easy.”

Reddit reaction to new control scheme became similar.

One community member said, “The new controls are a huge crutch for unskilled players. It’s that simple. It drives really good players out of the game.”

For reference, Total Control Skill Moves only require the input of one button. This is very different from the Skill Stick scheme, which requires multiple inputs to successfully pull it off.

However, we should note that this feedback is from the beta and not the finished product. NHL 24 will be released on October 6.