NHL' 94 (SEGA CD)
NHL' 94 is the 3rd continuation of EA's well known Hockey series. The Sega CD account of the game plays very much like the Genesis version, but the CD version has some other additions: 1) In this version you get a FMV-intro, 2) a different soundtrack (real instruments), 3) improved sound effects and 4) audio commenting before matches.
Compared to its predecessor (NHLPA Hockey' 93) NHL' 94 has notably more responsive controls. For that reason your players will be more flexible and agile, making it possible feint goalies with much more finesse than earlier approaches utilized in EA Hockey, NHL Hockey and NHLPA Hockey' 93. Other new features are penalty shots and the introduction of the one-timer shot. There are also sensible improvements in player ratings; no more players with a 0-20 overall rating, as was the case in NHLPA Hockey' 93. Playing-wise there are many improvements in NHL' 94, but there are also some unfortunate changes: the fighting and blood is removed. A really bad decision. This game would have been the total package if it had kept the fighting.
In my teens, I spent a tremendous amount of time on the early EA Hockey games. Actually, I am a hockey fan only because I played these games as a kid, and NHL' 94 was among my favorites. I imagine it can be difficult to appreciate these games today if you do not have some nostalgic connection to them. But, if you liked these games while growing up, you will probably still enjoy NHL'94. As you might remember, the SEGA/MEGA CD was a very costly device back in the day. Now, finally, you can play the CD version for a very reasonable price.
I highly recommend this title. I'd say it is a strong candidate for being the best hockey game on any console for the 16-bit era.