I play hut and find this year's installment more fun than previous (less rage quits).
However, my AI is definitely more stupid than my opponent's (i play SB) and i think this is on purpose to make it more "challenging" and to make the win dependent on you.
I just like to chill out and play hockey and grind on HUT according to what i need in challenges (more games, i shorten periods; more wins, i lessen difficulty, etc). It is VERY clear to me that difficulties are no indication of what you are about to face.
I'd rather they make the AI the same so that you are the reason if you lose; they would have to make the game harder to win, but the play would be even and you could accurately adjust your level of difficulty.
As it is, Ill beat a team 20-0 on superstar, but will sometimes struggle to win on semi-pro because their goalie is in god mode and mine cant stop a beachball thrown backhand from the blueline by a silver player. I rage at those. Typing this just made me peeved lol.
Sometimes there will be a comedy of "errors" where my players are suddenly braindead (im not talking with the pressure meter) - passes hit skates and arent caught, multiple checks cant seem to knock players down or away from pucks, D stay at the blue line, everyone is being outskated by silver players, my goalie gives out rebounds for every god damn shot, etc.
I litterally tell everyone within range "Just give them the goal so i can play again", and it usually happens. Often, this is immediately followed by a goal from me. Or ill have a game that the puck just wont go in, then the 3rd period, nothing gets stopped.