The cutting-edge Real Player Motion (RPM) Tech continues to evolve the way that gamers showcase their mastery. This year’s gameplay introduces Signature Shots that replicate the most recognizable shot styles of the biggest NHL stars, including PK Subban’s booming slapshot wind-up, Auston Matthews’ half toe-drag wrist shot, and Alex Ovechkin’s seamless one-timer. Hundreds of new shot animations allow for more dangerous attacks, and RPM Tech-powered overhauls to passing and puck pick-ups create a faster and more fluid game that can be executed at full speed to replicate real NHL action. New goaltender A.I. includes a full offensive threat analysis, allowing netminders to read and react to the development and threat level of each zone entry.

NHL 20 also introduces an all-new competitive way to play ONES and THREES called Eliminator, creating a winner-take-all competition inspired by battle royale. ONES Eliminator pits 81 players against each other in a survival tournament bracket en route to crowning the ultimate winner. Players can also squad up with friends in THREES Eliminator in an attempt to win back-to-back rounds against increasingly competitive opponents.

Continuing to deliver a fresh feel to the franchise, a revamped broadcast package delivers new play-by-play and color commentary to NHL 20, paired with overhauled scoreboards, overlays and motion graphics, all built to put players in the center of the game’s biggest moments. New to NHL 20, Play Of The Game brings memorable plays to life through highlights designed to put top moments on a pedestal for both your teammates and opponents.

Finnish Hockey League, as many other leagues around the world, got cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak. As an enthusiastic hockey nation, the people in Finland took it hard. As a response to feedback from the hockey community, it was decided that the league won’t be cancelled after all. Instead it will be played online with the NHL 20 console game and presented by Finland’s largest esports league, Telia Esport Series.

Games are broadcasted in national television. First round of playoffs will begin on 8th of April.

Coronavirus crisis has led the whole world into chaos, people are on lockdown and many sport events are either cancelled or postponed. To offer people comfort and entertainment Finnish Hockey League combined forces with Telia, a long-standing broadcasting company and e-sports provider in Finland. In addition to showing the finale on television by MTV, the biggest commercial TV company in Finland, all the games will be broadcasted to multiple video on demand platforms. 

“This year the ice hockey season ended prematurely due to the coronavirus outbreak. We agreed together with Finnish Hockey League that we should find an alternative way to finish the season. It is with great honour that we announce that ePlayoffs will be broadcasted in national television during prime time and every Finn can follow the games from the safety of their living room”, says Niklas Segercrantz, Commercial Manager of Telia’s esports team.

Each team has chosen one representative to represent their team in the entertaining ePlayoffs. There are both professional players such as 2019 World Championship winner Harri Pesonen and AHL players like Joni Tuulola and Joona Luoto, but also Finnish celebrities and other hockey enthusiasts.

“To our knowledge we are the only ice hockey league that goes online to finish the season. It is great that, together with Telia, we can provide entertainment to hockey enthusiasts even if we had to end the actual season prematurely. Kudos also goes to the former players and loyal fans for stepping up to defend their team online. This is guaranteed to become something exiting and entertaining to watch,” comments Aija Saha, Marketing Manager of Finnish Hockey League.

Games are played with the best three out of five method and the game format is 1 vs. 1. The ePlayoffs will continue directly based on the rankings of Finnish Hockey League’s regular season. All 10 teams that made it to the playoffs are included. To give hockey fans an authentic experience, all the games will be broadcasted with commentary and the program will be identical to a regular Finnish Hockey League broadcast. The main partner of the ePlayoffs is OnePlus.

“The premature end of the Finnish Hockey League season was a hard blow to all hockeyists in Finland, which made it obvious to us that we wanted to join Telia Esport Series to make virtual hockey history. This entertaining concept combines two things important to OnePlus: ice hockey and esports,” says Country Manager Tuomas Lampen of OnePlus Finland.

Three-time All-Star and former first overall pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews, was revealed as the NHL 20 cover athlete while taking the stage at this evening’s NHL Awards.

Fan-favorite game modes Hockey Ultimate Team and NHL ONES return with exciting new options and updates, including the ability to play ONES via local multiplayer with class-based NHL stars, creating the opportunity to challenge friends to a 1v1v1 battle at any moment. Hockey Ultimate Team introduces a new way to play in Squad Battles, the highly acclaimed mode from EA Sports FIFA that allows players to compete and earn big rewards in offline battles. New opponents are refreshed every day, including weekly Featured Squads assembled by NHL players, hot musical artists, hockey influencers, and superstar athletes from other major sports. Squad Battles introduces a brand new way to take on the best teams assembled by the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Hockey Ultimate Team also welcomes a new roster of playable hockey Icons, bringing the total number of collectible and playable Icons to over 400.

After its introduction last year, the World of CHEL continues to evolve with CHEL Challenges, weekly in-game events across all of fan favorite modes that unlock unique customization rewards, character XP and more are introduced in NHL 20. World of CHEL now offers over 2,000 unique customization items to craft your look and your playstyle - from gear and equipment, to lifestyle apparel from hockey’s biggest brands. Additionally, four new outdoor locations bring the game to never-before-seen ponds in the remote wilderness and city landmarks inspired by iconic locations.

NHL 20 will be available for Xbox One and PS4 on September 13, 2019. Be among the first to experience the new modes and innovations, unlocking the full game three days early on September 10, 2019 when you pre-order the NHL 20 Deluxe Edition or NHL 20 Ultimate Edition. EA Access members can experience the game first during the Play First Trial starting on September 5, 2019 and receive a 10% discount when purchasing the full game.