However, it does have the benefit of keeping shot counts well below last year's inflated levels. Shot velocity has also been improved, making it possible to score on hard slapshots from the point or high slot area. The ability for your defensemen to score on a laser beam shot from just inside the blueline is one of the most welcome improvements in NHL 99. The puck has also been livened up considerably and is more prone to deflection. I've yet to score off of a deflection, but the puck does carom off the boards and glass realistically, and it's harder for defensemen to clear the puck out of the offensive zone without it being blocked by another player.
Stat tracking is deep and, for the most part, accurate.
One exception is that, when playing 5 or 10 minute periods, games between CPU controlled teams will be simulated based on the same length. Given that 10 minute periods yield the most realistic scores and statistics in NHL 99, this results in unrealistically low player statistics for every team but your own. After all these years of sports games, you would have thought that EA would have recognized the problem and programmed around it. However, most experienced players of the NHL series are likely to head straight to Pro level. It's here where you'll find the most balanced challenge, and it's here where I spent most of my time.