Anaheim Ducks Win the Stanley Cup, EA Sports Predicts

With the real-world NHL Playoffs set to begin later this week, EA Sports today announced the results of its NHL 15 Stanley Cup Playoffs simulation. The Anaheim Ducks will come out on top, beating the New York Rangers in an exciting 4-3 series, according to the simulation.

EA's simulation predicts that Ducks forward Corey Perry will seal the win for Anaheim by scoring a game-winning third-period goal, much to Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist's dismay.

The Ducks had to fight hard to make the finals, according to the simulation, which predicted that their first three series (against the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild) went to the maximum seven games. But the Ducks finally got it done, and captain Ryan Getzlaf went home with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the overall Stanley Cup Playoffs MVP, netting nine goals and 17 assists during the playoffs. At least in the simulation, that's how it all played out.

EA's NHL Playoffs simulation takes into account up-to-date player ratings and line combinations, and even injuries and "hot streaks," in an effort to make its prediction for which team will get to hoist the Cup.

A detailed, game-by-game breakdown of how exactly EA Sports' entire NHL Playoffs simulation played out is available at the developer's website.

The simulation, of course, isn't always accurate. Just last year, it predicted that the Boston Bruins would defeat the San Jose Sharks in six games to take home the trophy. In reality, Boston was knocked out in the second round while San Jose lost in its first series.

In other NHL 15 news, the game has been added to Xbox One subscription service EA Access, meaning all members can play it as much as they want.