Prior to NHL 07, the 2k series had made serious inroads and was arguably a better NHL game. Then for NHL 07 EA introduced the skill-stick, which mapped stick-handling and shooting to the right analog stick. Instead of selecting from a narrow set of evasive animations (IIRC the standard options for the time where a generic deke, toe drag, and spin move) you could perform any number of movements, dekes, or simply reposition the puck relative to your skater as you wanted. In addition, shooting went from either a standard wrister or slap shot with the press or hold of the shoot button, to using movements and timing of the analog stick to perform any number of shots with greater influence on accuracy. Wanna hang out at the top of the dot with your stick in the air waiting for a teammate to pass you the puck, ala vintage Heatley, you could now do that.
Essentially, EA used the analog sticks to grant the player far greater control of their skater; functionally taking the puck handling off “rails” and allowing for greater skill and creativity to be rewarded. In subsequent versions the capabilities of the skill stick were expanded and refined and the same concept was brought to FIFA (EA FC). Once introduced it made “hit b to do THE toe-drag” feel like a toddlers toy. As far as gameplay quality of hockey video games goes there is before skill stick and after. It was that transformative.
IMO once EASHL was introduced in 2010 it was game over for NHL 2k. I spent way too many hours playing NHL 10,11,12, etc with friends until the wee hours of the morning. I’m pretty sure my actual career would be in a different place if I didn’t spend those years rolling in to work on like 3-4 hours of sleep multiple times a week. LOL.
