NHL 08: San Jose will hoist Stanley Cup

  • By Polybren, GameSpot
  • Posted Apr 9, 2008 10:10 am PT

With the puck set to drop on the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs tonight, Electronic Arts has released its own pick for the eventual champions. But unlike some more fair-weather fans who came around to the Montreal Canadiens or the Washington Capitals after overachieving regular seasons, EA is sticking by...

With the puck set to drop on the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs tonight, Electronic Arts has released its own pick for the eventual champions. But unlike some more fair-weather fans who came around to the Montreal Canadiens or the Washington Capitals after overachieving regular seasons, EA is sticking by its preseason pick, the San Jose Sharks.

According to a simulation courtesy of NHL 08, the San Jose Sharks will beat the Montreal Canadiens in a seven-game series to end an NHL postseason marked by hard-fought series, but few significant upsets. Of the 15 postseason series, only one was a sweep (Colorado blanks Minnesota in their opening round matchup), and the field of 16 boiled down to the top two seeds in the East and the West surviving to face-off in the conference finals.

Wunderkind Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins made it to the Eastern Conference finals before being bested by the Canadiens and rookie goalie Carey Price. In the West, San Jose made it to the finals by besting the Detroit Red Wings in six games, and sealed the Cup win in its series against Montreal thanks to the work of projected playoff MVP Joe Thornton.

After finishing the regular season on an 18-2-2 tear, San Jose is red hot and a popular pick for the eventual Cup winner. But not all of EA's preseason picks are looking so rosy. The publisher's initial NHL 08 simulated season saw Washington dead last in the 30-team league at season's end, instead of third seed in the Eastern Conference with a full head of steam heading into the playoffs thanks to hard-nosed scoring sensation Alexander Ovechkin. The game also sold the Dallas Stars short, expecting them to be tied for last in the West, instead of playoff-bound as the fifth seed in the conference.

On the flip side, the NHL 08 predictions had the Tampa Bay Lightning racking up a tremendous 107 points in the regular season, fourth most in the league. In reality the 'Bolts managed a mere 71 points, tied for dead last with the Los Angeles Kings. All told, the game's preseason simulation accurately predicted 10 of the eventual 16 playoff teams.

105 Comments

  • Cray_z3y_8ts

    Posted Apr 13, 2008 9:44 am PT

    MINNESOTA WILD BABYY!!!!

  • Cray_z3y_8ts

    Posted Apr 13, 2008 9:44 am PT

    MINNESOTA WILD BABYY!!!!

  • capnahdharr

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:34 pm PT

    Hmm, with the way Dallas is playing tonight against Anaheim, given both sides are substantially stronger than they have ever been... I think that there will be a lot of shocked faces come the end of the playoffs.

    I'm willing put put it out that whoever wins the Ducks Stars Series will take the cup. I think that Detroit just isn't a physical enough team to get past even the conference finals this year. As for the eastern conference I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that Ovechkin will help lift the Caps to the conference finals with Kolzig in the net. I think that the Penguins might pull themselves into the finals, but losing to whoever wins the Ducks Stars series.
    Both Dallas and Anaheim, (much to my dismay as a Predators fan) have a extremely well blended roster of speed, skill, goaltending, and physical hockey, that none of the other teams have been able to gather together this year. Anaheim is really strong at home this year, and Dallas is really good on the road. When you add to it the fact that they both have a well knit team that neither Detroit, Pittsburgh, San Jose, nor Montreal have, I am willing to post all of this out here.

  • Chaos_Bladez

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 5:33 pm PT

    GO SHARKS!!!! WOOOHOO!!!
    I've been a fan for so long it's great to see some recognition!
    Please tell me that all you Red Wings aren't on the bandwagon. That really annoys me.

  • somestupidloser

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 5:20 pm PT

    I'm going with the Red Wings winning the cup or at least beating San Jose, you don't get top seed for nothing.

  • KingBobCat

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 5:12 pm PT

    Yeah, what are you guys talking about? This will be the Red Wings' year ... I'd be great to see the Canadians win it too ... a great team with a great tradition.

  • mad_tyger

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:49 pm PT

    Oh yeah, this will totally happen!!! GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!

  • prioritymail

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 12:46 pm PT

    NHL? Whats that?

  • VanillaCremePop

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 11:48 am PT

    Go FLAMES!!!!!

  • billythekid1222

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 11:45 am PT

    GO BRUINS!!!!!

  • ccy3005

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 11:31 am PT

    the simulation was off...if u watch it... when the sharks won the cup they showed Bill Guerin on the team .. wich he is not....unless they used last years roster.. wich wouldn't make sense .. because Carey Price was on montreal... anyways it doesn't make sense... Penguins are winning the cup anyway... mark my words..

  • voradorlok

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 10:26 am PT

    You people sure San Jose will lift the cup?? they just started with a loss on home ice...

  • volcomstoner180

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 9:01 am PT

    i hope the pens take the cup.....but for my hockey pools lets hope the sharks do!

  • bardkieran

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:20 am PT

    Ummm.. Didnt Madden 08 predict that the Patriots would defeat the Giants? LOL

    I agree with PolyBren -- GO BLACKHAWKS!

  • Fogotmypantz

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 7:02 am PT

    Well they lost game one, so good start haha

  • casinater

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 5:35 am PT

    Go Pens!

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 11:19 pm PT

    No way. Habs will BEAT San Jose.

    GO HABS GO!!

  • frostedflame

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 10:25 pm PT

    san jose SUCKS GET IT RIGHT! hockey people have been saying san jose will go all the way for the last few years AIN'T-GONNA-HAPPEN

  • fainTster

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 10:08 pm PT

    Let's GO AV'S

  • Polybren GameSpot staff member

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:57 pm PT

    Wow. this is more enthusiasm in the comments than the normal game-related stories get. And even though they're not in the playoffs, GO BLACKHAWKS!!!

  • Statictrance

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:52 pm PT

    After being at the game tonight - i still stand by my prediction penguins over sharks in 6.

  • pcmacro

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:42 pm PT

    GO HABS GO! Habs better win, Montreal is the nation of hockey. The home of hockey. Montreal is the heart of hockey.

  • puckhead778

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:09 pm PT

    i would love to see detroit win because they are my team, but we all know that the past what like 6 years or so of finishing in first place in the league always ends up killing them early in the playoffs on account of big headedness, so i thinking montreal has a good chance

  • Cowing30

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 8:37 pm PT

    as i said b4 bruins are gonna finally beat montreal. and im also gonna say i hope this jinx it for san jose.....cuz i mean seriously who cares about the sharks...its all about boston

  • WB_BlackWolf

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 8:24 pm PT

    Montreal Canadiens all the way to the cup!

  • suzukigsxr

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 8:23 pm PT

    Colorado Avalanche all the way.

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 8:15 pm PT

    I agree with the final 2, except the Habs will win the cup.

  • speedjunkie4

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 7:24 pm PT

    Already knew about this. FROM MY NEWS BROADCASTER. GO DETROIT!

  • taj7575

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 7:18 pm PT

    GO PENS! ( even tho i could care less about hockey =P)

  • hovanPS3

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 7:10 pm PT

    Instead of predicting and simulating NHL playoffs, EA should stick to programming better games, especially NHL 09.
    Hopefully they will fix every BUG, and I mean the thousands of bugs in NHL 08, more specifically the crappy online on Xlive and PSN.
    EA, stop giving out predictions and start fixing all your BUGS and FIX the online as well in NHL 08. Visit your NHL08 forums and see all the bugs for online play that have been reported.

  • hovanPS3

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 7:07 pm PT

    Go Habs Go

  • JediKnight66

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 6:45 pm PT

    BOOOOO San Jose. THE AVS ARE GOING TO BRING HOME THE CUP!!!!

  • LordelX

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 6:41 pm PT

    Whatever, the HABS will take it.

  • thelastguy

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 6:07 pm PT

    Since the Canucks are gone, GO HABS GO

  • Thuban_23

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 6:07 pm PT

    Unfortunetely they won't make it past the Flames and EA will be a lil red faced.

  • Tbonesteak87105

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 5:18 pm PT

    Your all morons, PENS are gunna win the cup easily

  • saintsrowCS

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:48 pm PT

    This is the Stanley Cup playoffs where battle lines are drawn, friend are lost, hearts are broken, tears are shed go Sharks tear the competition apart!!!

  • menniss

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:26 pm PT

    TO: jbertts910 "Look i agree San Jose had a really good after All Star Season but the only depth they have is Joe Thorton and some others. When you talk dept in the West you talk Detroit (Wings in 08!!!!) and Anaheimnot San Jose. Look to the East and i think the Penguins have the Shot in the East with Crosby ready to roll who knows i have Red Wings in 6 over Penguins for the final god i hope im right...."

    OK first off you don't know the Sharks this season they have one of the best goalies in the league along with a Rocket Richard Trophy winner Jonathan Cheechoo. They have one of the best defenseman in the league in Brian Campbell who they picked up at the trade deadline and have only lost two in regulation since doing so. So to say they only have Joe Thornton is a huge understatement. With that i say the Sharks have the best chance they have ever had in all the years of the franchise. So GO SHARKS!

  • Cowing30

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:23 pm PT

    Bruins. if there gonna beat montreal once make it now

  • beachdreamer

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:20 pm PT

    This just in, Modano and the Stars to hoist the Stanley Cup this year. Im sticking with my team, all the way!!

  • smoresvscoco

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:19 pm PT

    yeah go sharks!!!

  • DarthTall

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:08 pm PT

    Do you know who deserves to win a Cup? The Los Angeles Kings. Year after year, I remain a loyal fan...and what do they do? They suck. I have never played hockey a day in my life, but I could probably get past their defense. Seriously, is there another team in pro sports (beside the Cubs) whose fans have taken more abuse? Sigh. Is it October yet?

  • redbas

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:07 pm PT

    How can they put Montreal in final with their game simulation. Half of the team is in Hamilton if you play their game....

  • buzzguy

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:01 pm PT

    San Jose is my pick, too. Actually, I'll be happy as long as it's any team but the Devils or Wings. I am so sick of those teams.

  • ImSwordMan

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:47 pm PT

    Bay area spirit right here go sharks !

  • Paradosis

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:46 pm PT

    I don't know OR trust my bank!

  • johnrkinsey1

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:35 pm PT

    EA home office is 5-10 miles away from the Tank (HP pavillion in San Jose). A real homer pick.

  • torontomapleafs

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:26 pm PT

    I think the Pens will win the cup this year as they are virtually impossible to stop now.
    I would like to see Calgary win it though.

  • Mr_choumni

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:14 pm PT

    Montreal canadians, legends of hockey, they have to win, 25TH STANLEY CUP, 100TH ANNIVERSARY, ALL-STAR GAME COMING TO TOWN NEXT YEAR, OMG WE HAVE TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WE ARE THE MOST HARDCORE HOCKEY FANS ON THE PLANET YEAH!

  • habstown

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:12 pm PT

    HABS ALL THE WAY 08!

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