Well I hadn't played the last years games... I think it's a good game!
Well let's begin the review...
For the first time the gameplay is kinda nice, but the enemy AI is kinda stupid, and when they steal the puck usually theres a graphical error.
The shooting itself its nice and the New Stick thing, well I have no use for it.
The graphics aren't really bad but they could be better for a 2008.
The sound is also nice, lots of effects, the TV Hosts are kinda always saying the same, but that doesn't interfere the game.
The animations itself are kind of dumb >.>
Gameplay -> 6.5
Graphics -> 7.0
Sound -> 7.0
For a First Timer, it's not Bad, but i guess it could be better after reading other reviews, there hasn't been innovation since 2007 or 2006.
Still for someone who played for the first time, doesn't care because they never played the others.
And by the way there should be something like a tutorial and stuff for people who never played , saw or talked about Hockey.