And then there's the whole getting a point in the standings despite losing a game in regulation thing. It doesn't happen often and there is no obvious rhyme or reason to it, but every so often you'll lose a game in regulation time and still get a point. That's an inexcusable gaff given the playoff implications even a single point error might have on a season. Although these kinds of shortcomings will drive GM wanna-be's crazy, for the casual player and for those who think the on-ice play is the most important part of a hockey game, these off-ice shortcomings aren't the end of the world. For players who most prefer single-season play, however, there is no saving grace for this feature's absence.

In the end what matters most is that this is, bar none, the finest NHL game EA Sports has ever produced. Fans of the original Sega Genesis versions who eventually turned away from this series because the magic was gone absolutely need to give NHL 08 a fresh look. And fans of more recent editions will find plenty of value here to justify the recurring $60 investment. There are flaws in this game, make no mistake, but the fun factor of playing the game more than overcomes its shortcomings. This is not only one of the best hockey games out there, but also one of EA Sports' finest efforts overall, regardless of the sport.