NHL Rivals 2004 is Microsoft Game Studios' inaugural National Hockey League (NHL) title for the Xbox video game system. Experiencing tons of action, hockey fans will take their favorite NHL team on a quest to win the Stanley Cup. With more than 700 animations, NHL Rivals challenges players to put wrist shots, onetimers, and slap shots past all the top NHL goaltenders. Gamers can settle hockey grudge matches and create their own rivalries playing Virtual Pick Up using the Xbox Live online game service. Under the new XSN Sports brand, hockey gamers are immersed in one of the most realistic and exciting hockey settings ever created. Using revolutionary new Web-based technology, hockey gamers and sports fans can easily organize teams, leagues, and schedules from a centralized Web site—XSNsports.com. Get ready for real hockey competition this year.