NHL '09 Sim: Bruins Will Win the Cup

For those of you who might have been looking forward to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, don't worry yourself. As it turns out, the Boston Bruins are all set to claim their first title in 37 years, defeating the upstart Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals.

How do I know it's true? Well, because EA Sports told me so.


Once again, in anticipation of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, EA Sports has released the results of a simulation they've run of the upcoming postseason tournament in their flagship hockey video game, NHL '09. So, just how much stock should you put in this simulation? Well, the last two seasons the folks at EA released the results of their test, they picked the San Jose Sharks (2008) and Ottawa Senators (2007). I'm sure both Ron Wilson and Bryan Murray to this day take great solace in those results.

Still, it's all in fun, isn't it? Other highlights from simulation include some massive upsets. Out West, the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to dump the Detroit Red Wings in seven games in their first round series, while in the East the Devils are supposed to be upended by the Carolina Hurricanes in six. Also of note, the first playoff meeting of Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby went a full seven games before the Capitals finally took down the Penguins. Both conference finals series also went the distance, with the Blackhawks downing San Jose and Boston besting Washington.

So who's the Conn Smythe winner? Boston's Phil Kessel, who netted 14 goals through the playoffs, including two overtime game-winners in the FInals. His linemate, Marc Savard (8G, 19A), likely got some consideration and, despite not making an appearance in the Finals, Ovechkin led all goal scorers with 15 tallies in just 20 games.

All the results are below:

2009 Stanley Cup Finals
Game 1 – Boston 4 Chicago 2
Game 2 – Boston 3 Chicago 2 OT
Game 3 – Chicago 3 Boston 1
Game 4 – Boston 4 Chicago 3 OT
Game 5 – Chicago 4 Boston 3
Game 6 – Boston 5 Chicago 3

Eastern Conference Finals
Game 1 – Boston 3 Washington 2 OT
Game 2 – Boston 4 Washington 3
Game 3 – Washington 4 Boston 1
Game 4 – Washington 4 Boston 2
Game 5 – Boston 2 Washington 1
Game 6 – Washington 4 Boston 3 OT
Game 7 – Boston 3 Washington 2

Western Conference Finals
Game 1 – Chicago 5 San Jose 4
Game 2 – San Jose 5 Chicago 3
Game 3 – Chicago 4 San Jose 3 OT
Game 4 – San Jose 3 Chicago 1
Game 5 – San Jose 4 Chicago 3
Game 6 – Chicago 4 San Jose 2
Game 7 – Chicago 4 San Jose 3

Eastern Conference Round 1
(1) Boston defeats (8) Montreal, 4-2
(2) Washington defeats (7) NY Rangers, 4-2
(4) Pittsburgh defeats (5) Philadelphia, 4-3
(6) Carolina defeats (3) New Jersey, 4-2

Round 2
(1) Boston defeats (6) Carolina, 4-2
(2) Washington defeats (4) Pittsburgh, 4-3

Western Conference Round 1
(1) San Jose defeats (8) Anaheim, 4-2
(3) Vancouver defeats (6) St. Louis, 4-2
(4) Chicago defeats (5) Calgary, 4-2
(7) Columbus defeats (2) Detroit, 4-3

Round 2
(1) San Jose defeats (7) Columbus, 4-1
(4) Chicago defeats (3) Vancouver, 4-2