NHL 23 Dekes: How to Deke, Controls, Tutorial, and Tips (2024)

Skill and speed are being emphasised more than ever in the NHL and EA Sports’ NHL 23, with the use of a deke being the epitome of showcasing technical ability in ice hockey.

In NHL 23, the list of deking manoeuvres has been increased a great deal, with there now being several specialist dekes for you to use in games.

With over 20 different dekes to use, deking is one of the trickiest aspects of the NHL 23 controls to master. Most of the time, you’re required to move the right analogue stick to manipulate the puck on the skater’s stick.

On this page, you’ll learn how to perform every deke, tutorials for specialist dekes – like the Michigan deke (lacrosse deke), chip deke (jump deke), and slip deke – who the best deke skaters in NHL 23 are, and plenty of tips to help you become a deke master.

How to perform all dekes in NHL 23

To perform the full range of dekes in NHL 23, you need to use the Hybrid or Skill Stick controls as the NHL 94 controls only offer a limited selection of dekes.

NHL 23 deke list and controls

In the table below, you can find ALL of the controls of every deke in NHL 23, including the movement directions needed to perform each deking move.

In the table above, you can see all of the standard dekes (from Backhand Toe Drag down to Between-the-Legs Saucer Pass) listed, as well as the new and specialist deking controls thereafter.

Further down, you’ll see several of the best and flashiest deking moves in NHL 23, including visual tutorials for the Michigan deke, chip deke, and slip deke, as well as some controls tips.

All dekes, tutorials, tips and tricks

While all of the dekes offer you a chance to outwit your opponent, break into space, or score a goal when timed correctly, some moves are distinctly more useful and flashier than the rest.

Below, you’ll find each of the best dekes demonstrated, as well as the console controls needed to perform them and some additional tips for using the deking manoeuvres in NHL 23.

How to do the Michigan deke (lacrosse deke)

• PlayStation Controls: Forehand + L1 (hold) + R3 (hold) + Right Stick (left-to-right)
• Xbox Controls: Forehand + LB (hold) + R3 (hold) + R (left-to-right)
• When to Use: Coming around the opposition net
• Difficulty to Perform: 10 of 10

The lacrosse deke, which is also known as the “Michigan deke,” is perhaps the most exciting and impressive of all of the NHL 23 dekes, but it’s also the trickiest to pull off in games.

You’ll almost certainly want to utilise the Free Skate mode of the Training and Practice section to try out the Michigan deke because the timing required to perform the move is very precise.

So, to get used to using the lacrosse deke, you’ll want to stand still, pull the right analogue stick over to the left (for a left-shot skater), and then hold L1 or LB and press down R3 at the same time. With L1 or LB and R3 still held down, swing the right analogue from the left side under and around to the right.

If you go too quickly, you won’t pick up the puck, but if you go too slowly, the puck will just be nudged along the floor. Timing the swing is everything when trying to perform the lacrosse deke.

The best Michigan deke tip is to use a skater with a high deking rating, as listed below, and then watch the puck when you’re practising the deke. As you need to move the right analogue around in time with the skater’s deke, keeping your eye on the puck can help a lot.

The best place to use this deke is around the back of the goalpost as a shot. You’ll need to practice the deke until you have the timing perfected as you’ll likely not be able to see your movement when using the Michigan deke in its optimal area.

How to do the chip deke (jump deke)

• PlayStation Controls: L1 + Right Stick (upwards)
• Xbox Controls: LB + Right Stick (upwards)
• When to Use: Skating towards a diving opponent
• Difficulty to Perform: 2 of 10

To perform the chip deke, all that you need to do to skate in a direction and then tap L1 or LB and push the right analogue stick forwards. This will see the skater chip the puck into the air and perform a short jump to follow the chip deke.

The jump deke, also known as the “chip deke,” is a great little move to have in your back pocket. It takes a bit of getting used to, due to the timing needed, but it can become a heavily relied upon deke.

If you’re up against an opponent who tends to throw their skaters to the ice using the dive controls to stop your breakaways, you can easily nullify their efforts by using the jump deke.

The best tip for using the jump deke is to ensure that you have the timing right. If you do it too soon or too late, you’ll likely collide with a skater, stick, or goalie and lose the puck.

The chip deke only sends the puck up and down a short distance, so you need to be about a foot away from the obstacle when you use the controls to achieve the perfect chip deke.

How to do the slip deke

• PlayStation Controls: L1 (near the boards)
• Xbox Controls: LB (near the boards)
• When to Use: Skating along the boards with an opponent in the way
• Difficulty to Perform: 4 of 10

The slip deke is a much more deft version of the board-bank self-pass, with the deke keeping the puck close to the boards and the skater going along their existing trajectory.

It’s a very simple move, and you only need to tap L1 or LB to use the deke, but you will want to choose the situations for deploying the slip deke wisely as its lack of power can result in a giveaway.

The best time to perform the slip deke is when you’re surging down the boards – preferably with the boards on the same side that your skater shoots – and an opponent comes across to check you. If there’s a slither of space between them and the boards, you can slip through by using the slip deke.

As far as tips go for the slip deke, the best advice is to be hustling (hold L3) down the boards so that the slip deke is performed at a higher speed. This will allow you a better chance of squeezing past the opponent and through the space that they’re looking to close.

How to do a one-handed tuck deke

• PlayStation Controls: Backhand or Forehand, L1 + R1
• Xbox Controls: Backhand or Forehand, LB + RB
• When to Use: One-on-one with a goaltender who’s pulled to one side
• Difficulty to Perform: 7 of 10

One of the sneakiest and most effective scoring dekes in NHL 23, the one-handed tuck deke can be very useful once you’re able to read the goaltender’s movements.

The one-handed tuck sees you have the puck either on your backhand or forehand by holding the right analogue to the left or right, depending on the handedness of the skater. Then, when you press and hold L1+R1 or LB+RB, your skater will flick the puck to the opposite side to then nudge it forwards.

It’s a deke designed to drag an opponent to one side, leaving ample space on the other side of your skater for the one-handed tuck deke to move the puck into, which you can then follow. It is, of course, best used when one-on-one with a goaltender.

Practising the one-handed tuck deke in Free Skate is a good idea because the time required for the deke to initiate and complete isn’t anywhere near as speedy as the other deking moves.

The best tips for using the one-handed tuck deke are to skate on goal more towards the side where you’re holding the puck and to then perform the rest of the move (pressing L1+R1 or LB+RB) just after goalie shifts that way.

It takes longer to go through the steps of the deking move after holding the buttons, so you’ll need to get the hang of the optimum distance to perform the one-handed tuck deke.

How to do a between-the-legs shot

• PlayStation Controls: L1 + R3 + Right Stick (upwards)
• Xbox Controls: LB + R3 + Right Stick (upwards)
• When to Use: Coming across the goalie crease
• Difficulty to Perform: 7 of 10

Used to full effect in recent seasons by the likes of Tomáš Hertl, Sonny Milano, Aleksander Barkov, and Connor McDavid, the between-the-legs shot is a classy move that can leave goaltenders baffled.

It is a particularly effective shooting technique in the right situations in NHL 23, with the fast-moving deking manoeuvre hiding the puck from the goalie’s vision while also being able to pull the netminder across the crease.

You can use the between-the-legs shot in any offensive situation by pressing L1+R3 or LB+R3 to get the puck back between the skater’s legs, and then flicking the right analogue towards the goal to shoot.

When performing the final part of the between-the-legs shot – pushing the right analogue upwards to shoot – you can direct the shot as you usually would when using the right stick to shoot, with north-west to north-east on the right analogue being the targeting zone.

A top tip to keep in mind is that the between-the-legs shot is rather weak; the best times to use this deke is when you’re coming across the crease or have received a pass close to the goal.

If the opportunity arrives to skate across the front of the goaltender, protect the puck by pulling it away from them with the right analogue. Then, when you’ve drawn the goalie over to the post that you’re heading towards, perform the deking move and shoot into the empty space behind you.

How to do the board-bank self-pass

• PlayStation Controls: L1 + R2 (near boards)
• Xbox Controls: LB + RT (near boards)
• When to Use: Along the boards and near the opposing blueline
• Difficulty to Perform: 2/10

The board-bank self-pass deke is a very simple deke to play, but it can work well to take a defenseman out of the game or drift the puck into the offensive end to pounce on with the forecheck.

This deking manoeuvre is a lot like the slip deke, but activating the board-bank self-pass will push your skater towards the open ice, allowing you to hustle around the defenseman and get back to the puck.

If used closer to the blueline, you could find your skater being one-on-one with the goalie, depending on the defensive strategy selected by your opponent.

Should the L1+R2 or LB+RT deke go wrong in this area, and your skater gets blocked off, the puck can still trickle through, allowing for your forecheck to surge in and apply some pressure.

It’s important to keep in mind that your skater gets pushed away from the boards by quite a distance when you make this play. So, you’ll want to push down L3 after performing the deke to sprint back to the puck.

How to do a between-the-legs pass

• PlayStation Controls: L1 + R3 + X
• Xbox Controls: LB + R3 + A
• When to Use: As you’re about to get checked or pinched
• Difficulty to Perform: 2 of 10

Playing a between-the-legs pass is a simple deke, but it can be very effective. While you can use it to showcase your offensive awareness at any time, the between-the-legs pass in NHL 23 is best thought of as a defensive puck possession manoeuvre.

To perform the between-the-legs pass, you activate the deke controls with L1 or LB, press R3 to get the puck between the skater’s legs, and then X or A to play the pass – using the analogue to direct the pass.

A good way to work this into your deke repertoire is to have the move ready when you skate into the offensive end. As is often the case, once you break past the blueline, a defenseman will likely try to rush head-on to check you and take possession.

By using the between-the-legs pass, you can protect the puck and have a better chance of getting it to a teammate just before you get checked. Of course, you can use it whenever you think that the deke will create a better passing lane, but initially, its puck protection qualities are very useful.

How to do the windmill deke

• PlayStation Controls: L1 + Right Stick (south-westwards or south-eastwards)
• Xbox Controls: LB + Right Stick (south-westwards or south-eastwards)
• When to Use: When you’ve got space to your player’s stick side
• Difficulty to Perform: 1 of 10

The windmill deke in NHL 23 is a simple but effective deke for getting around stubborn opponents and creating more space. Used when skating towards an opponent, the windmill deke sees your skater show the puck to their backhand side, flick to their forehand, and whirl their stick over to pivot to an open lane.

To do the windmill deke, you need to hold L1 or LB to bring the puck more central to your skater. Then, for a left-hand shooter, flick the right analogue stick down and to the left (south-westwards) in a straight line (in other words, aim for 8 o’clock). For a right-hand shooter, flick the right analogue stick down and to the right (south-eastwards) in a straight line (about 5 o’clock).

If you’re being met by a defenseman who’s on the backcheck and is happy just to block your lane, use the windmill deke to get into the space to your stick side. While you can use it to squeak through along the boards, the aim of the deke is to create a new lane and leave the defenseman stuck. So, it’s best used when there’s plenty of space forwards and to the left if you’re a left-shot, or the opposite if you’re a right-shot skater.

How to fake deke

• PlayStation Controls: Stride Deke (Forehand) + Right Stick (Backhand)
• Xbox Controls: Stride Deke (Forehand) + Right Stick (Backhand)
• When to Use: Misdirect the goaltender; similar to the one-handed tuck but more subtle
• Difficulty to Perform: 3 of 10

Sometimes, hinting that you’ll deke and then leaving the move is just as effective as performing a well-timed deke, as demonstrated by Nikita Kucherov. The fake deke in NHL 23 offers all of the visual tells of a deke and can sometimes draw goaltenders out to your lane, allowing the puck to keep going forwards into open space.

To use the fake deke, you need to enter the stride deke by pressing L1 or LB and shift the left analogue stick to the opposite side of your stick, moving with the puck on your skater’s forehand. Then, move the right stick as though to shift the puck to your backhand. This will see you leave the puck to slide away to the opposite side that you’re skating.

If you’re using a left-shot skater, you’ll need to hold L1 or LB, push the left stick to the right and upwards (about 2 o’clock), and pull right stick to the left (about 9 o’clock). For a right-shot skater, press L1or LB, shift to your left with left stick (about 10 o’clock), and then pull the right stick to the right (about 3 o’clock).

It’s important to pull the deke with the right stick as soon as you’ve made the short input of skating direction with left stick.

How to do a wraparound shot

• PlayStation Controls: On the Backhand, Right Stick upwards
• Xbox Controls: On the Backhand, Right Stick upwards
• When to Use: Behind the post with the puck on the backhand
• Difficulty to Perform: 7 of 10

While not a deke, the wraparound shot is a tricky manoeuvre that can catch out slower goaltenders. It’s not easy to score with this move.

To perform a wraparound shot in NHL 23, you need you skate around the back of the net so that the goal is on the side that your skater is holding their stick. Then, just as the puck passes the post as your come around the back of the goal, use the right analogue stick to essentially take a regular wrist shot by pushing it upwards.

So, if you have a left-shot skater, skate to the right side of the goal and then head around the back to the left. Keep close to the goal, pull R to the left to hold the puck on your backhand. Just as you wrap around to the far post, and the puck just goes past the post, flick the right stick upwards (as you would for a regular shot) to try a wraparound shot. For a right-shot skater, approach from the left side and hold the right stick to the right for the backhand.

How to do a spin-o-rama deke

• PlayStation Controls: Tap R2
• Xbox Controls: Tap RT
• When to Use: When a defenseman looks to check your shoulder
• Difficulty to Perform: 2 of 10

Also not strictly a deke, the spin-o-rama move just requires you to tap R2 or RT. This will see your skater spin around with the puck on their stick. You can change the direction of the spin by turning the right analogue (R) from left to right (9 o’clock to 3 o’clock) or the other way around.

The spin-o-rama deke is a flashy move that, if timed well, can see you bank off of a would-be check. For it to work in this way, as you’re driving forwards, wait for a defenseman to line-up a check that would only hit half of your skater’s body. Then, use the spin-o-rama deke to spin in the other direction, allowing you to roll off of them.

How to do a loose puck deke

• PlayStation Controls: Tap L1
• Xbox Controls: Tap LB
• When to Use: With a bit of space between you and a defenseman
• Difficulty to Perform: 1 of 10

The loose puck deke is the simplest of the NHL 23 dekes. To use the loose puck deke, otherwise called the “one-touch deke,” use the left analogue stick to direct your skater, and then tap L1 or LB. The direction of left stick is where your deke will go. You can use this to send the puck in a different direction to where you’re currently skating.

How to do an off the skate deke

• PlayStation Controls: Tap L1 + Right Stick downwards
• Xbox Controls: Tap LB + Right Stick downwards
• When to Use: If a bit crowded to try to sneak the puck out
• Difficulty to Perform: 1/10

Known as the “skate kick deke,” the off the skate deke sees you flick the puck back onto your skate to hide it and kick it forward again in one smooth move. Luckily, it’s a very easy deke to use.

To perform an off the skate deke, tap L1 or LB and, at the same time, flick the right analogue stick downwards. This one-touch deke is a quick move without too much utility, but it can help to get the puck free if you’re pinned down.

How to do the flip deke

• PlayStation Controls: Backhand or Forehand + L1 + R2
• Xbox Controls: Backhand or Forehand + LB + RT
• When to Use: To evade a defenseman already set with a stick check
• Difficulty to Perform: 3 of 10

As the name suggests, the flip deke in NHL 23 sees you flip the puck up into the air. This can be used as a flashy way to get the puck over an incoming stick check or even as a shot on goal.

To use the flip deke in NHL 23, skate forward and have the puck on your forehand or backhand with the right analogue (R) held to the left or right. Then, tap L1 or LB and R2 or RT simultaneously to flip the puck.

There is another form of flip deke known as the “Datsyuk Flip.” To do this, you press R3, pull the right stick downwards to pull the puck back a bit, and then tap R1 or RB to flip the puck up into the air. For the “Datsyuk Shot,” do the same, but instead of pressing R1 or RB to perform the move, shift the right stick upwards to take a flip shot.

How to a double deke

• PlayStation Controls: L1 + R (south-westwards), L1 + R (south-eastwards)
• Xbox Controls: LB + R (south-westwards), LB + R (south-eastwards)
• When to Use: To evade a succession of incoming defensem*n
• Difficulty to Perform: 2 of 10

In NHL 23, a double deke is when you perform one deke move immediately after another. Above, this move is listed as just performing a windmill deke in one direction and then performing it again in another direction as it’s nice and easy.

To perform a double deke in NHL 23, it’s a good idea to start with one of the simple one-touch dekes, like the skate kick deke or windmill deke, before doing another simple deke or attempting a more complex move.

If you want to introduce some of these slick dekes into your game, be sure to use the Training and Practice modes to perfect your timing, and use the best deking skaters in NHL 23 to baffle your opponents on the ice.

How to get the puck on your forehand or backhand in NHL 23

If you’re new to deking in NHL 23, you may be a bit thrown off by the terminology of the “backhand” and “forehand.”

Forehand: To get the puck on your forehand with a left-shot skater (who holds the toe of their stick to their left side, as seen when looking over their shoulder), you need to pull and hold the right analogue to the left. For a right-shot skater, you need to pull and hold the right analogue to the right to hold the puck on the forehand.

Backhand: To get the puck on your backhand with a left-shot skater, pull and hold the right analogue to the skater’s right side. For a right-shot skater, you’ll need to pull and hold the right analogue to the skater’s left side.

If a deke requires you to have the puck on the forehand or backhand, it’ll always be the first action of the deke. Once you’re holding the puck to either side, you can then perform the rest of the controls, which will probably have you moving the right analogue from its forehand or backhand position.

Where can you practice deking?

It’s not easy to get the hang of the deking controls of NHL 23, especially not in the high-pressure situations of a competitive game.

To practice each deke, from the main page of NHL 23, move across the tabs to More and then select Training and Practice. If you want to try out the solo dekes without any pressure, use the Free Skate training as it’ll just be the skater of your choice against a goaltender.

To practice teamwork dekes, like the Between-the-Legs Pass, or if you’d like to try timing your deking against a select number of opponents, go into Team Practice and adjust the number of players on either side of the ice.

When trying to learn the Michigan deke (lacrosse deke), it’s a good idea to go one-vs-one in the Free Skate mode of Training and Practice as you’ll have as much space as you need to perfect the timing.

For the chip deke (jump deke) and slip deke, it might be a good idea to practice against one or two defenders to work on simulating the pressure that will come your way, thus helping your timing of the dekes.

Best deking skaters in NHL 23

To make the most of the diverse selection of dekes on offer, you’ll want to use one of the best deking skaters of NHL 23.

The deking skill of the skater is important if you want to perform the higher difficulty dekes, but most players can get away with the slick one-touch dekes available.

In the table below, you’ll find all of the best deking skaters in NHL 23 ranked by their deking attribute rating as of October 10. You’ll also find their other essential factors, such as their overall ratings and handedness.

After the best deking skaters listed above, there are several skaters who boast Deking ratings between 90 and 94. Which deking player will you add to your team or model your Be a Pro?

Here is our list of the best NHL 23 defenders that will help you upgrade your defense.

Take a look at our complete NHL 23 control guide.