Use every skill in your arsenal to experience the explosive power of hockey in NHL® 08. Combine the elements of power, speed, and finesse like never before as you develop from an up and coming player into an electrifying NHL superstar. With stunning gameplay graphics and innovative gameplay features, no hockey match is ever the same with NHL 08.

• Skill Stick moments: The Skill Stick gave you the power to deke the goalie in NHL 07, now you can own the one-on-one matchup and undress opposing defensemen with complete control of the puck. Tap the puck into space and between a defender's legs to walk around him. Once you're all alone in front, improved stick handling and shooting accuracy gives you the toolset to beat the goaltender for that decisive goal.
• On the fly A.I.: Dynamic A.I. adjusts to your every move on offense and defense, challenging even the most skilled hockey players. The intelligent CPU scouts your tendencies like a coach and makes the necessary adjustments to shut down your money plays, forcing you to adjust your style of play.
• Custom plays: Take any team into Practice mode and train them to run custom rush and in-zone plays in-game. Do you want your team to run cycle plays down low or feed the point for a one-timer? Record the exact movements of each player and watch as the A.I. executes them during gameplay.
• All-new skating engine: New analog speed control gives you the variance needed to glide into the zone with control or get a burst of speed to step up on a defender. With new skating animations and responsiveness, you have the control to perform crossovers to maintain speed or carve tight turns for an immediate change in direction.
• All-new interactive creation zone: Create lifelike, fully customizable characters, team uniforms, and authentic equipment that affect how players perform on the ice. Test out how the stick flex impacts shot speed and accuracy, or the skate rocker affects turning radius and speed.
• American Hockey League: 29 AHL teams, the top developmental league for the NHL, are exclusively featured and fully playable. Develop your team's talent with their AHL affiliate until you are ready to call them up for the show. Be the GM and manage your team from the ground up while staying under the salary cap.
• Goalie mode: Take on the hardest job in sports and seize control of your goaltender with a new third-person camera. Stack the pads, butterfly and make glove saves with your entire team depending on you.
• Authentic presentation: From player likenesses to the signature jersey tucks and sock preferences, each athlete is rendered with a meticulous attention to detail to create a truly authentic on-ice experience.