EA's idea of a joke.
The gameplay in this game is horrid. The first tutorial lets you believe that your aim is right on...too bad that is not the case. I found myself aiming top left and going for bottom right with my wrist accuracy at 99...made no sense. The physics are completely flawed and their is no flow to the player's movements. Many of the opposition's goals were from slapshot to 360 to backhanders....make no sense now? Play the game and you'll see what I mean.
I have yet to try the newer 2K NHL's but if you want a GOOD hockey sim...go for NHL 2K10...I can say faithfully that it is far better than this hunk of garbage tossed into the market by EA.