NHL 08 [X360]

NHL 08 also introduces skill stick moments, a way to exploit one-on-one breakaways and leave a defender hugging air. You have the ability to tap the puck in any direction and then skate in any direction. So if you want to go through a defender's legs, you can. Tap left, skate right, meet the puck on the other side? It's difficult, but possible. These ultra dekes don't work every time, but when they do, you'll light that little red lamp in your soul.

EA gives sports fans everywhere something to look forward to with huge improvements in online play. Not only can you play three-on-three online, but you can now participate in online leagues with up to 32 teams, finally catching up with the excellent online options of 2K Sports. Will this technology be shared with NBA Live, NCAA Football and Madden? We can only hope so.

Visually, NHL 08 is almost identical to its predecessor except for a bump in framerate up to 60 frames per second. There's a host of new checking animations, but NHL 08 is basically the same, albeit beautiful, looking game as last season. Mike Patrick and Barry Melrose lend their recycled commentary to the action, complimented by an alt-rock soundtrack.

In the end, EA has excelled in creating its smartest, deepest hockey game to date. Almost every complaint -- with the exception of no classic teams -- has been addressed from NHL 07. The result is an evolution into a full-blown hockey simulation rather than arcade shoot-em-up/checking fest. If you know hockey and appreciate the subtle nuances of the sport, then NHL 08 is the greatest thing since the Outdoor Life Network.