On Sunday, St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 and with that win launched themselves into 6th place in the Western Conference and finally locked down the remaining match-ups for this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning on Wednesday. With that game completed late Sunday afternoon, the EA Sports NHL 09 Simulation team began with simulating each series all the way through the Stanley Cup Championships and the results have predicted that the Boston Bruins will win their first cup in 37 years by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.
The NHL 09 computerized simulation is conducted using artificial intelligence that uses real-life data from each team, such as player ratings and line combinations, and includes variances such as injuries and hot streaks to predict a realistic outcome of each game and series. For the official run-down of the prediction check it out on EA SPORTS World: NHL 09 Playoff Simulation.
In what's looking like some of the most exciting match-ups in playoff memory, this hockey fan will be busy watching games online and putting the DVR on overdrive. Though the sim has Montreal losing in six to Boston, that will be the renewal of one fantastic rivalry made for the playoffs. Personally, I see this going seven games with Boston winning in a coin toss. You've also got Ovechkin in Madison Square Gardens and you know he'll be putting on a show. I agree with the sim here going seven games. Will Sid the Kid stay hot and propel the Pens past the fiesty Flyers in the first round? I'm guessing they'll make a run like last year. With Brodeur ending off the season looking average, I can see the Devils falling in the first round.
In the West, the big upset the sim is calling for sees Columbus, behind the netminding of Steve Mason, pulling off the series win in seven over the Detroit Red Wings. Possible? That's up for debate, though with the sims better than 75% this year, it may well just happen. San Jose looks strong though some will argue they coasted into the playoffs after an incredible first half of the season. No matter what anyone says, in my book, if you finish first overall, you're not going to lose in the first round. Don't be surprised to see a sweep here. Chicago could very well hand Calgary home in the first round as the Flames are dealing with injury issues that had them fall out of the top spot in the Division at the end of the regular season. I wouldn't be surprised to see the 'hawks carry their momentum gained from the end of the season right through the Flames and the first-round. Will they go on to the finals as predicted in the sim? That's another question.
As for the Canucks-Blues series, take the Canucks as the prediction says. Personally, I'm not going to go out on a limb here because I don't want to jinx them ;)
We will re-sim the second round based on teams that actually make it...that is, if the simulation makes any errors. In the meantme, let the debate begin and check out these screens (click to enlarge) of who could very well be the next Stanley Cup Champions!
