NHL Ranked Online Play Survey Results

I conducted a 10 question survey on what aspects of a players ranked online play is most important. Out of 10 respondents, here are the results (listed in order of importance).

Playing positional defense
Average: 9.3
High: 10
Low: 8
(The most important aspect in responders games. Also the answer with the least variance. If you're new to the game, what this really means is stay between the puck and the net, and don't go after the big hits unless you're sure they'll land)

Having a working knowledge of real hockey (cycling the puck, etc.)
Average: 9.0
High: 10
Low: 5
(The 2nd most important aspect. Not everyone knows hockey, but those that do swear by real-life techniques. Lots of resources available on the internet for learning hockey strategy.)

Changing my playing style mid-game in reaction to my opponents playing style
Average: 7.5
High: 9
Low: 5
(Adapting to your opponent was never listed as being unimportant. Be willing to re-write your playbook if things aren't going your way)

Purposely playing against players better than you to learn and improve
Average: 6.7
High: 10
Low: 4
(Much bigger variance here. Losing isn't fun, but most players realize that losing is an important step to improving your game play.)

Using only a couple of strategies that work well with my playing style
Average: 6.3
High: 10
Low: 1
(Huge variance here! I think this makes sense though. It's valid to say that great players have depth and can score from the blue-line and from deep in the paint, but it also makes sense to do what works and not waste time on less-effective strategies. Just personal style.)

Using only a couple of go-to teams whose lines and players I know well
Average: 5.9
High: 8
Low: 2
(Important to some, but definitely not a necessity.)

Managing offensive line changes
Average: 5.8
High: 8
Low: 1
(Still important, maybe not so much because the lines will auto-change)

Practicing various scoring techniques using team practice or 1 on 1 practice
Average: 5.1
High: 10
Low: 1
(Huge variance here again - this can be great practice not just to 'learn goalie tendencies' but to learn how your forwards will cycle the puck when deep in the zone, and to see what the different offensive strategies look like.)

Managing defensive line changes
Average: 4.8
High: 10
Low: 1
(Again same as with offensive line changes, but less important.)

Taking control of my goalie during high % scoring situations
Average: 2.8
High: 9
Low: 1
(Least important, but still very important to some - worth learning the shortcut to take goalie control. L1+X (LB + A)