NHL 14 is an officially licensed hockey game. The player takes direct control over a hockey team and participates in single matches, tournaments and various leagues. Most changes compared to NHL 13 are technical as the game improves its physics engine (incorporating the collision engine from the FIFA series), the skating animations and fist fights (using technology from the Fight Night series).
The game features several new additions to its modes. In Live the Life, which is about controlling a single athlete through his career, there are now multiple-choice dialogues that affect the stats. The Ultimate Team mode, which allows players to improve their team with booster packs, introduces an online league with a promotion system. To celebrate 20 years of NHL '94 , the anniversary mode brings back the style of the game with simpler controls and presentation. The Be a GM mode lets players take over some managerial responsibilities.