Playing goalie is not easy in NHL 21, but it can be a lot easier in the World of CHEL with the right build. If you’re a netminder in EASHL, you might be wondering what builds are the best in NHL 21. We’ve got you covered, as we take a look at which goalie builds you should take a look at in NHL 21.
Short Stand-Up
- Type – Stand-Up
- Height – 6’0”
- Weight – 180 lbs.
- Trait Slot 1 – Glove High 2
- Trait Slot 2 – Gotcha! 2
- Specialty – Cross Crease Master
Let’s start off with a shorter Stand-Up build, one that can track down high shots and one-timers while not sacrificing positional speed. For this loadout, we’ve gone with a 6’0”, 180 lb. build. Decreasing the weight as much as possible gives this build 91 Agility and Speed, and while you can lower the height even more, we recommend not doing so. Short goalies are easy prey for players who utilize short-side, pull-back wrist shots and one-timers, so be careful with the height.
As for the Trait Slots, our first pick is Glove High 2. Glove High 2 boosts the Glove High attribute to 95, while the Stick High rating sits at 92. These boosted attributes should help you quite nicely while attempting to stop some big shots. The second slot goes to Gotcha! 2, which adds a +2 boost to Speed, and a +6 to Poke Check. And for the Specialty, we’ve gone with Cross Crease Master, which will give you a slight increase to save ability and push off speed on cross crease attempts. Stopping cross crease shots are hard enough, so receiving an extra boost should be welcome for goalies.
Related: Best World of CHEL and EASHL skater loadout builds in NHL 21
Tall Stand-Up
- Type – Stand-Up
- Height – 6’5”
- Weight – 180 lbs.
- Trait Slot 1 – Glove High 2
- Trait Slot 2 – Gotcha! 2
- Specialty – Cross Crease Master
We now move to our second recommended build, which is actually very similar to our first loadout. As a matter of fact, it’s identical to it in every facet except for one attribute: Height. Aside from the Trait Slots, weight, and more importantly, height are vital to a goaltender’s success in EASHL, as high goalies generally have a better chance at standing tall in the cage since those players cover more net and don’t make it easy for short-side snipers.
If you feel you are being beat too often with the high shots, try this build, but keep in mind that thanks to the height, it will be tougher to move around the crease.
Butterfly
- Type – Butterfly
- Height – 6’0”
- Weight – 180 lbs.
- Trait Slot 1 – Stick Low 2/Glove Low 2
- Trait Slot 2 – Gotcha! 2
- Specialty – Cross Crease Master
Now we move to a Butterfly build, which has boosted ratings toward low shots. This build doesn’t have the same Agility (89) or Speed (89) that the Short Stand-Up loadout possesses, but those ratings are sufficient. And much like our first build, we maximize the capabilities of this build by using the lowest possible weight, and a height that doesn’t make it too vulnerable to those pesky high shots.
Since butterfly goalies are strong with stopping low shots, our first Trait Slot can be either Stick Low 2 or Glove Low 2, depending on your preference, While either of those two traits will lower the Five Hole attribute, having one of these two traits active should be worth it. Our second trait is Gotcha! 2, which we’ve mentioned previously. And, much like our other build, the Specialty goes to Cross Crease Master. Cross-ice passes and cross-crease attempts are very prevalent in NHL 21, so this Specialty is highly versatile.
Short Hybrid
- Type – Hybrid
- Height – 6’0”
- Weight – 180 lbs.
- Trait Slot 1 – Glove High 2/Glove Low 2/Stick Low 2
- Trait Slot 2 – Gotcha! 2
- Specialty – Cross Crease Master
Hybrid goalies are the two-way forward of goaltender, as these netminders can handle both high and low shots efficiently. This type reflects that in the ratings, as the high and low glove and stick ratings are essentially even right off the bat. We have two builds for the Hybrid type, and we’ll start with the shorter build.
This loadout utilizes the same height and weight as the Short Stand-Up, in order to maximize Speed and mobility in the crease. And like the Short Stand-Up build, we’ve utilized the same Traits Slots and Specialty boost, as all three are versatile and can maximize shot stopping capabilities. However, you could choose to boost the low glove or stick ratings, as well, depending on what you struggle with.
Tall Hybrid
- Type – Hybrid
- Height – 6’5”
- Weight – 180 lbs.
- Trait Slot 1 – Glove High 2
- Trait Slot 2 – Gotcha! 2
- Specialty – Cross Crease Master
Our final loadout profiles a Tall Hybrid build, designed to maximize mobility and dominate against high shots and short-side wristers. For this build, we’ve gone with the same height and attributes as the Tall Stand-Up build. In addition, the Trait Slots and Specialty are exactly the same, given that these traits are among the most useful that you will find in NHL 21.
Now as far as whether you should pick the Tall Stand-Up or Tall Hybrid build to use in games, that decision is really up to you. However, let’s just point out this once again: Hybrid goalies tend to have more balanced attributes all around. So, if you are looking to both high and shots with consistency, it might be better to tinker with this Tall Hybrid build, given it has more even all-around attributes. But as we mentioned earlier in this paragraph, this decision is ultimately up to you.
