InNHL 23, players have the chance to play as their favorite teams. In addition to deciding which team has the best offensiveand defensive lineups, they’ll need to decide which special features to activate on their star players. These X-Factors can be serious game-changers, allowing players to show off some serious personality with their star players.
Players will want to use X-Factors to their advantage whenever possible, as equipping them can bring out a pretty decent boost in the specified skill. Players will need to choose the X-Factor that best matches their play style, as they offer many different skill boosts. Here’s a look at the best options inNHL 23.
10Quick Pick
As one of the Hockey IQ X-Factor abilities, Quick Pick gives the player exceptional capability at intercepting the puck. Additionally,their range when interceptingis also increased. A useful skill, defenders will get the most benefit from this X-Factor.
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Using a player that combines Quick Pick with several othercritical defensive abilitieswill make them into a beast with an impregnable defense. This X-Factor is not a Zone Ability for any player, but is available as a Superstar Ability for several notable players, including Sebastian Aho, Jaccob Slavin, Seth Jones, Anze Kopitar, and Kris Letang.
9Tape To Tape
Making a great offensive X-Factor, Tape to Tape provides the equipped player with elite passing ability within vision. Additionally, when necessary, passes will auto saucer. This means passing range is extended, giving the skater more passing options.
It’s ideal for the playmakers who move the puck around the ice the most. There are several notable players with this X-Factor, including Jonathan Huberdeau, Leon Draisaitl, and Adam Fox.
8One Tee
One-timers have been nerfed in this game to be more realistic, as they’re honestly hard to make in real life. To compensate for this, the One Tee X-Factor boosts the power and accuracy of one-timers. In addition, players will have an increased chance at making less-than-ideal one-time passes that would otherwise be nearly impossible.
This X-Factor is ideal for the player who enjoys attempting one-timers. Notable players that have this X-Factor include Steven Stamkos and Alex Ovechkin.
7Quick Draw
For players who need a boost during face-offs, Quick Draw is the ticket. It provides increased speed on faceoff draws, increases the player’s effectiveness on tie-up wins, and is excellent fordefensive zone draws. The ideal use for this X-Factor is in winning face-offs more frequently.
Winning face-offs can greatly impact the overall game, making Quick Draw a highly effective X-Factor to have. Ryan O’Reilly is the only player to have Quick Draw as a Zone Ability X-Factor.
6Make It Snappy
For those who enjoy taking snapshots while skating, Make It Snappy improves the power and accuracy of the shot. This X-Factor is targeted toward the players that focus on scoring, making it a great offensive ability to have.
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Players will find it most useful in situations where there’s one versus one. The notable players with Make It Snappy are Brad Marchand, Artemi Panarin, Alex Debrincat, and Nikita Kucherov.
5Unstoppable Force
Unstoppable Force is an excellent X-Factor to have, as it keeps the player in control of the puck. It provides them with increased strength with the puck and an increased ability to maintain control over it when unbalanced.
No players inNHL 23have this X-Factor as a Zone Ability. However, there are several notable players who have it as a Superstar Ability, including Patrice Bergeron, MacKenzie Weegar, Moritz Seider, and Leon Draisaitl.
4Stick ‘Em Up
For players who need a significant boost to theirdefensive stick speed, Stick ‘Em Up is a great option. Users will also get excellent accuracy when poke checking at speed and be less likely to get a penalty.
This X-Factor will help players significantly with their accuracy and timing of defense moves. Players that have Sitck ‘Em Up include Charlie McAvoy, Adam Pelech, and Victor Hedman.
3Yoink!
When players need agood defensive abilityon their side, Yoink! offers fantastic accuracy when stick lifting at speed. Players on the other team will take an increased amount of time to recover from stick lifts.
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This X-Factor will give players a brief respite when the opposition is briefly down for the count. The players that have Yoink! include Aleksander Barkov and Mark Stone.
2Wheels
Skating prowess is criticalin the NHL, and there’s no better way to boost it than with Wheels. It provides exceptional acceleration, agility, and speed for the player when they are skating with the puck.
Wheels makes it much easier to get by the opposing team when the player has the puck. Those with this X-Factor include Dylan Larkin, Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Kyle Connor.
1Relentless
Relentless is a new addition to the X-Factor list. It offers the player an increased ability to perform off-balanced, desperation plays. Shot and pass accuracy are increased following contact.
Relentless is not a Zone Ability, but there are several players that can use it as a Superstar Ability. These include Kirill Kaprizov, Gabriel Landeskog, and Jack Hughes.
NHL 23is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.
