The 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs starts tomorrow, which features no Canadian teams since the NHL-WHA merger in 1979 that put six Canadian teams in the NHL.
As they do every year with their sports titles, EA Sports took some time to simulate the playoffs. Like the lack of Canadians, EA’s simulation coughed up some interesting matchups.
If you just want the winner, scroll to the bottom.
East Conference
- The Florida Panthers went on a surprising run to the East Conference finals, defeating both the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning. In hilairous news, the never-aging Jaromir Jagr showed up for the playoffs scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in 20 games.
- Crosby and the Pittsburg Penguins were shut down by the New York Rangers, who had Henrik Lundqvist destroying every shot the Penguins took.
West Conference
- In EA’s simulation, neither the Chicago Blackhawks nor the LA Kings made it to the Stanley Cup Final, a feat which hasn’t occured in five years. The Sharks eliminated both teams.
- The St. Louis Blues had the collapse of the playoffs after leading 3 – 1, they gave up three straight to the Blackhawks in round 1.
Champions
In a game 7 battle, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals won at home versus the San Jose Sharks with a 4-2 victory.
Ovechikin sealed the deal with the Capital’s fourth score on an empty-net goal in the last seconds.
Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby continued his historic run and won the Conn Smythe Trophy. He finished with 16 wins, 2.10 GAA, .933 SV% and 3 shutouts.
Who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments.