A method is provided for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one motor-generator, an internal combustion engine employing a camshaft and a camshaft phaser, and an energy-storage device operatively connected to the engine and to the at least one motor-generator. The method includes determining whether a deceleration of the vehicle is desired, and ceasing a supply of fuel to the engine when the deceleration is desired. The method additionally includes regulating the camshaft phaser to a predetermined fuel cut-off position when the supply of fuel to the engine has been ceased, such that a magnitude of compression pulses in the engine is reduced relative to when the engine is being fueled. A system for controlling the hybrid electric vehicle and for executing the above method is also provided.