NHL 22: Best X-Factor Abilities

The real-life NHL postseason is just around the corner, and with that, players are hitting the sticks in NHL 22 to practice their skills on the ice. While this year’s version of the popular hockey franchise has brought about several impressive changes, perhaps the most exciting is the unique X-Factors. Here is everything you need to know about NHL 22’s X-Factor abilities and some of the best to prioritize. 

NHL 22: Best X-Factor Abilities

For the first time in EA Sports’ NHL game series, NHL 22 has given hundreds of players their very own unique ‘X-Factors,’ which provides them with additional boosts in select situations. Each ability is split into Zone and Superstar, with the former being a single, more powerful tool, and the latter offering more minor enhancements. Here are the top five X-Factor abilities in NHL 22:

#5 – One Tee (Shooting)

One Tee lets you bury one-timers with consistency, which is one of the most important moves to learn in the game. Players with this ability will have far better power and accuracy with one-timer shots and will even increase the rate at which your player can hit one-timers off bad passes. Notable players in NHL 22 with One Tee ability include Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Elias Lindholm (Calgary Flames). 

#4 – Puck on A String (Hockey IQ)

Puck on a String is probably the most vital X-Factor in NHL 22 in hockey IQ because it makes your toe-drags more effective and improves your general stickhandling ability. It gives you more control over your puck handling, which as a result, offers you a better chance of getting past defenders and creating chances for your team to score goals. That makes it a particularly useful X-Factor ability for wingers. A notable player in NHL 22 with the Puck on A String X-Factor is Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.  

#3 – Contortionist (Goaltending)

While NHL 22 offers tons of valuable X-Factors for goaltenders, Contortionist is undoubtedly the best. It allows the goalie to make seamlessly impossible clutch saves on the spin that no other player will be able to replicate, and it also limits shooting X-Factors of your opponents. Above all else, it increases your goalie’s save range, recovery, and ability against momentum. A notable player in NHL 22 with the Contortionist X-Factor is Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

#2 – Stick ‘em Up (Defending)

As with any sport, defense is arguably the most essential aspect to consider, and the Stick ‘em Up X-Factor in NHL 22 is the number one option to improve your defense in the game. With this X-Factor, you will see the player’s defensive stick speed, stick handling, and poke check accuracy improve, which as a result, will reduce the likelihood of penalties from occurring, even at high speed or against momentum. Some notable players in NHL 22 with the Stick ‘em Up X-Factor are Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

#1 – Wheels (Skating) 

Wheels is the absolute best ability in NHL 22 for on-ice performance because skating is arguably the most important skill to master in hockey, regardless of position. Simply put, if you can’t keep up with your opponent and the tempo of the game, then you stand no chance. Most importantly, Wheels allows you to skate fast while still maintaining control of the puck without diminishing your speed, agility, or acceleration. That means you’re just as fast with the puck as you are without it. Notable players in NHL 22 with Wheels include Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.