The poke check is way, way toned down. It's kind of hard to get used to at first actually, because I relied on it so much in the last game. Now you can hold the L trigger (modify) and then use the right analog to sweep your stick around, to intercept passes. Just have to be careful to make sure you're holding modify, or else you'll accidently do one of the "intense contact" moves, which will often land you a penalty.
I dig the intense contact stuff, although I only used it rarely. On one occasion I was chasing after an iced puck with the defender just ahead of me, and I used the R stick to whack him just before he could touch the puck--it slowed him down enough so that I could get around him and beat him to it.
Penalties are called way, way too often...you'll want to crank down spearing, interference, and elbowing sliders to start with.
All new fighting engine, but...bleh. I have SC2 for that.
Huge dynasty mode too, all kinds of off-season scouting options, prospect work outs, etc.
