Get off of those boards!!!!
The graphics have continued to improve to the point atht you are "in the game" and the camera angles are nice. It gets confusing while you are follow ing one player with the puck on the ice since you can't see where your mates are in relation to your position. Cues on the sides of the screen do help but where are the other teams players while you blindly pass a shot?
Loading the game on a computer which played NHL 2004 without problems, let me know that something had been changed in the processor and graphic requirements for the game. It was like loading an old 386 game on a pentium, since the action was racing around over Mach speed on the machine. It wasn't until I built my next computer that I was able to enjoy the game at a resonable pace. Emailing techsupport did nothing to answer the question as to why I was having the initial problem.
Mouse men unite! I loved the older NHL games from EA with the ability to play with the mouse, but now there isn't even the option. You must play this game with a gamepad or the keyboard and the key strokes can be quiet annoying if you go that route. If I want to use a game pad, I will play on my Xbox, Gamecube, PS1 or PS2.
If you are a diehard EA Sports fan, GET THIS GAME!!!!!