EA Sports is back with NHL 21, full of new features and some new offensive moves for players to master. One of those new moves, The Michigan, was pulled off by Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov just last year. This guide will show you how to do The Michigan “lacrosse” deke in NHL 21.
How to Do the Michigan Lacrosse Deke
In NHL 21, players can use dekes to help fake out their opponent or throw them off guard. These moves are typically used when a player is trying to score and range in difficulty to pull off.
The most difficult deke to pull off is The Michigan, a lacrosse-style deke making its series debut in NHL 21. This deke requires the player to set up behind the opponent’s net, take a forehand stance, lift the puck up, and put it in the net from behind the goaltender. If it sounds easy, it’s not. Executing it practice is difficult, and pulling it off in a game is nearly impossible.
Left-Handed Players
Set up behind the opponent’s net and get into the forehand position by pushing the right stick to the left. Press and hold L1 (PS4) or LB (Xbox) depending on your system. Press the right stick in and rotate it halfway counterclockwise. If successful, you will see your player scoop the puck up in the blade of their stick and swing it around the front of the net in an attempt to score.
Right-Handed Players
Set up behind the opponent’s net and get into the forehand position by pushing the right stick to the right. Press and hold L1 (PS4) or LB (Xbox) depending on your system. Press the right stick in and rotate it halfway clockwise.
The biggest issue you may run into will be timing when moving the right stick halfway in the correct direction. I personally have been able to get the motion correct, but have not been able to get the puck off the ice. For this reason, head into a free-skate practice and just work on the basic motions of the deke. Move the puck to your forehand, press and hold L1/LB, push the right stick in, then rotate the right stick in the appropriate direction. Work on making this deke nothing more than muscle memory. Once you can get the puck off the ice, start trying it on the goalie in the free-skate mode. It probably goes without saying, but choose a player for the practice mode that has great stick handling.
Obviously written instructions can be tough for a deke like this, so be sure you check out the video embedded above for further help at mastering this deke and stay tuned to Guide Stash for more NHL 21 content.