Skating

Dont skim past this section because you are anxious to get to the "Shooting" part. Skating is important in order to protect the puck and get in high percentage shots. Skating to avoid the defense was my first real breakthrough in NHL09. I was able to get more time in the offense zones and setup better shots.
The first thing you should learn is the cutback. When skating up the sidelines into the offensive zone, I kept getting trapped and hammered into the boards. Plus, with the addition of poke checks and stick lifts, it is even harder to hold onto the puck. Try this technique to get past the defense and protect the puck. When skating side by side with the defense, circle away from your opponent and cut towards the inside (dont hold down Vision Control while doing this, you want to be facing away from the goal while doing this move). This technique keeps your body inbetween your opponent and the puck, safe from poke checks and stick lifts. The tighter you can make these turns, the easier it will be for you to get by them. Now try a double cutback. After youve made your initial turn and the defense responds and turns to follow you, cutback the other way and now your off and running with the defense left to play catch up.