My opinion is based on the online versus game mode. I was hoping that the game play would be an improvement from NHL 24 but as bad as that game was this is worse. For all of the improvements in skating mechanics, the game feels slower and I feel that the players are on wet ice. I find it difficult to gather loose pucks, the goalie continues to give up bad goals and never looks for the pass across the crease. I am seeing the exact same scoring moves that were constantly being used(exploited) in the previous game.
I have played and purchased every EA NHL game from the beginning and this will be my last. If there was an alternative to this I would recommend it. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS GAME!!!