One of the most exciting times in sports every Spring is the NHL Playoffs. While the NBA Playoffs begin at the same exact time, there is nothing like winner-take-all, hard-hitting playoff hockey. The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing and while the remaining 16 teams have begun their journeys towards the ultimate prize, EA Sports put together a simulation of the playoffs using NHL 17. Going into the playoffs, two major stories were being talked about as the Columbus Blue Jackets look to win their first playoff series in the team’s 17-year history. The other story was the absence of the Detroit Red Wings, who missed the playoffs for the first time in 25 seasons.
Here is how the playoffs played out in NHL 17:
In the East, Columbus picked up their first ever playoff series win, taking down the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. Of the eight first round matchups, seven went the full seven games as only the Montreal Canadiens finished their series in six games to defeat the New York Rangers. In all, every round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs featured many series going the distance, including the Washington Capitals, the team with the most points during the regular season, which would have three series go seven games. Unfortunately, the stress of 21 games in a short period of time took its toll on the Capitals – the teqam would lose to the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals.
In the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks were upset by the Nashville Predators in the first round. The Predators made a run through the playoffs along with the Edmonton Oilers, who are in the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. Connor McDavid scored 26 points in 20 games as Edmonton made an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals before eventually falling to the Predators.
In the Stanley Cup Final, the Montreal Canadiens, an Original Six NHL team, took on the Nashville Predators, who are in just their 19th year of existence. The series came down to, surprise surprise, a seventh and final game to determine the new champion. Here is what happened in Game 7 according to EA Sports:
“It all came down to one game. P.K. Subban and the Nashville Predators against Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup® Final. It was a back-and-forth game that featured stellar saves and highlight reel goals until Viktor Arvidsson scored with 17:37 left in the third period to give the Predators a 3-2 lead. Ryan Johansen would tack on an empty net goal late in the third period securing the first Stanley Cup in Nashville Predators franchise history.”
Filip Forsberg of the Predators took home the Conn Smythe trophy for Most Valuable Player of the playoffs, scoring 12 goals and 23 points during Nashville’s Stanley Cup playoff run. If EA Sports’ NHL 17 playoff simulation is any indication, this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs will be one of most exciting in recent history.
Who do you have winning the Stanley Cup? Did NHL 17 get it right? Let us know in our comment section.
