Understanding Lines/Tactics

[C. Love]

Hi All, Ice Hockey is not my strong suite, but I am thoroughly enjoying trying to work this game out. I need some advice on how lines work, why guys are in each line, and generally what the role is of each line.

I'm getting the feeling the 3rd line is defensively oriented towards combating the oppositions 1st line? What is the role of the 2nd line? How do you set up your line vs line settings?

Also after some tips for power plays, and how to work out from player stats which player roles apply to eacfh player. Any tactical advice would be welcome.

[KnightAttack]

Historically, we've seen in Hockey the Top 2 lines in Hockey be the "Scoring" lines, the 3rd line as the "grind" line, and the 4th as the "Energy" line.

Today's game though is transitioning into a much more up-tempo game and we're seeing the Energy/grind lines go away as teams are moving more towards more amount of scoring. However, these roles are still being used and being filled in a variety of ways. You still have forwards who will be out there at different key times i nthe game, and sometimes that's where roles come in.

Honestly, one of the best things to do is pick the best tactic choice you can (Regular/PP/PK), and have the AI do a setup and then make adjustments as you see fit. Right now in our stream, I run all the lines almost even, but let special teams time balance out my top players.

[C. Love]

Okay awesome, thanks. So (and I apologise as I am an avid sports fan, but as I said I'm still learning that great game of hockey) my logic tells me then I should be matching my 3rd line defensively against their first line? Or would you go 1st vs 1st?