In what we predict to be Marc-Andre Fleury's return to the net's after injuring his finger against the Calgary Flames, the netminder will find that he will probably need to heal it fully before getting back between the pipes as our NHL 10 Game of the Week simulation has him getting lit up against the Flyers looking to get back into a playoff spot in the East.

After last week's simulation predicting the Blackhawks victory over the Red Wings, our game engine was tweaked to take into account Fleury's injury and potential return as it's been reported that he will be receiving a special glove on Thursday and will check to see how it fits.  We don't see him playing in that night's game against the Caps, but we do see him looking to take on the Flyers and Brian Boucher relieving Ray Emery who we see playing against Carolina the night before.  We put our 2-0 sim record on the line and predict a 3-0 win for the home side over the Pens as the Flyers take advantage of the home crowd and a slightly rusty Fleury in net.

For the full game prediction, go to the In the Crease blog:  Penguins at Flyers

Last week's match-up between the Flames and Canucks definitely ended up being one of the most exciting games of the year. It had people wondering if, in fact, we were already in April as both teams played with a sense of urgency usually seen at playoff time.  Both teams played end-to-end hockey exchanging goals through regulations time.  The Flames, however, would edge out the home team in a shootout victory to take sole possession of first-place in the Northwest Division and ring true last week's Game of the Week simulation

As we make the halfway turn of the season, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in unfamiliar territory currently sitting outside a playoff position in the Western Conference. At the top of the Conference sit Central Division foes and league leaders the Chicago Blackhawks who've played with a lot of confidence and energy with their young talented players now coming into their own. This week's NHL 10 Game of the Week simulation pits these two rivals together as they meet in a Sunday afternoon game in Hockeytown, USA.

For the complete sim results go to the In the Crease blog:  Blackhawks at Red Wings

With the Winter Classic behind us, the second half of the NHL season is now in full swing with teams looking to position themselves in what's looking to be another close playoff race.  Since the adoption of the OTL point system, teams have been fighting for every possible point as teams can be seen moving up and down the standings on a daily basis.  Rivalries have become ever more important as beating division and conference foes can mean the difference between home ice advantage or even making the playoffs altogether.

Starting this week, we will highlight and simulate one of the key games of the week focusing on division rivalries and games with playoff implications as we near the playoff stretch.  Using the NHL 10 game engine, we've simulated the game and provide highlights from the match-up.  Our first sim looks at a Saturday night tilt between Northwest Division foes as the Calgary Flames make a visit to Vancouver to face the Canucks.

For the complete sim, check out the In the Crease blog:  Flames at Canucks

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!