NHL 98 delivers more ways to forecheck, backcheck, execute breakouts, skate, make saves and shoot than any other hockey game on the market.

Motion captured player animations from Florida Panthers' All-Star goalie John Vanbiesbrouk include butterfly saves, stack pads, and numerous other goalie moves. Other NHL players were recorded to create hard-hitting board and bench checks, wrist and slap shots and in-your-face celebrations. NHL 98 features all of the NHL teams, logos and over 700 players with the latest trades, statistics, and player ratings.

Each player has his name and number on his uniform, including those that are made in the "create a player" mode. The role of general manager can also be assumed in the transactions mode in order to trade, create and release players.

NHL 98 has eight different camera angles and unlimited instant replay angles, allowing players to view the hockey action from down on the ice, in the press box or up in the rafters. Enhanced sound effects include chanting crowds, grinding blades against the ice, the slamming of the penalty box door and stadium-pounding organ music. Play-by-play commentary is provided by real life NHL broadcast announcers Jim Hughson and Daryl "The Razor" Reaugh.

To raise the bar in realism, EA SPORTS enlisted the assistance of Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche Coach Marc Crawford to direct the design of on-the-fly coaching strategies that were implemented into NHL 98. This feature allows game players to dynamically react to what is happening in the game, depending on a specific situation, and to shift strategies without stopping gameplay.

"When playing hockey, the keys to victory depend on how well teams change their offensive and defensive strategy depending on what type of situation they're up against," said Marc Crawford. "Teams play a different strategy when they find themselves down by a goal, or up by a goal.

"For example, on the powerplay or when killing a penalty, teams have to recognize their opponent's strengths and weaknesses and take advantage of them. In working with the EA SPORTS development team, we have gotten NHL 98 to a point where it is now possible to have complete control over what type of strategy a team utilizes. It is amazing to think that interactive sports games have come so far as to simulate exactly what happens on the real ice and NHL 98 really hit that mark this year."

NHL 98 carries a suggested retail price of $49.95.