NHL 25 has been out for several months now. For those unaware, this is one of the most popular ice hockey simulation games in the world, developed by EA Vancouver and published by EA Sports. It’s the 34th installment in the NHL video game series, and one of the best things about it is the ability to take a team through the league and – hopefully – lead them to victory. In other words, it allows you to control the fate of the Calgary Flames and see them lift the coveted Stanley Cup!
Doing this isn’t easy, however. Despite a recent win over the San Jose Sharks, at the time of writing, the Calgary Flames currently have a record of 32 wins, 25 losses, and 11 overtime losses, placing them fifth in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. And as we mentioned before, NHL 25 is a simulation game, which means it’s pretty realistic! As a result, taking the Calgary Flames to victory in this game requires careful strategy, smart management, and a strong understanding of the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
This isn’t something you can do haphazardly on a Sunday afternoon. One of the best things about NHL 25 is that it requires you to think, to utilise your hockey knowledge, and apply it to your in-game strategies. It takes effort, and for many, it takes too much effort. But the reason we’re writing this article is because we wanted to give you the best start possible, ensuring your efforts don’t go to waste. Below, you’ll find our top 5 tips for beginning a career as Calgary Flames on NHL 25, helping you to overcome your rivals and get your hands on the final trophy.
Familiarise Yourself With the Roster
The first thing you’ll want to do is get to know your team. The Calgary Flames have some strong players, of course, but understanding both their strengths and their weaknesses will be crucial for success. Players like Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau, for instance, bring the speed, skill and physicality to your offence, while players like Jacob Markstrom will anchor your goal. Understanding their roles and how to maximise their abilities will be the first thing to give you a competitive edge, making sure you balance your lines with a mix of skilled players and gritty, two-way forwards.
Take Some Initial Risks
If you want to lift the Stanley Cup at the end of your campaign, you’re going to need to take some risks. Every gamer is used to that, of course, especially if you’ve dabbled in the iGaming scene. The very concept of online slots, for instance, revolves around taking risks and reaping the rewards. Why play online slots? Because you know that the potential rewards could outweigh those risks, and the same can be said for a game like NHL 25. If you take the right risks at the right time, the chances are you’ll be rewarded for it, and in our opinion, the right time is at the beginning, when you’re focused on player development and establishing your best team. When you’re deep into the tournament, the last thing you’ll want to do is disrupt your cohesion, but at the beginning, you have the space and leeway to try new things and build a solid foundation.
Focus on Defensive Play
Having said that, one thing we think you shouldn’t take a gamble on is the way you play. Just like in real life, the Calgary Flames are at their best in defence, with Markstrom being one of the best goaltenders in the league. With this in mind, you should be making sure your defence is paired well and can handle their duties, while your defensive forwards – players like Mikael Backlund and Trevor Lewis – should be utilised for shutting down opposing offences. Over the first few games, you might be getting narrow victories – or even narrow defeats – but you’ll also be getting a hand on your defensive prowess and slowly developing your attack, working to peak at exactly the right time in the tournament.
Manage Your Special Teams Well
Another tip for you to take on board revolves around your special teams. As you well know, special teams can be game-changers, working to swing the game in the opposite direction or hammer down on a strong victory. With this in mind, you should work hard to master your power plays and penalty kills, positioning your best shooters and playmakers in key spots.
Players like Tkachuk, for instance, are ideal in front of the net, while Gaudreau could create a lot of space to dish out passes. Don’t be afraid to adjust these power plays, either. Every team in NHL 25 is different, which means your tactics will need to be different depending on which team you’re playing. If you’re playing a team with a strong power play, for instance, you’ll need to consider being more aggressive in your penalty kill. Vice versa, if you’re playing a team with a weak power play, you might want to focus on being more defensive and keeping your power players in position to block shots and intercept passes.
Lastly, Spend Time With Your Team
Our last point might be quite a soppy one, but it’s a good strategy too! The most important thing to do when playing NHL 25 is to have fun and spend time with your team, playing a range of friendlies and not putting too much emphasis on getting it right straight off the bat. If you do this, not only will you have a better time, but you’ll also pay attention to how your chosen team is gelling together on the ice. This will then allow you to adjust your tactics and develop certain players in a far more natural way. So take your time with it, have some fun, and build your team into the best team it can be!
