Well it's that time of year again. Every year with about an average of 10 games left for each team I do a simulated season on the latest EA Sports NHL video game. A little about this years instalment in the EA NHL series.
For years I have been hoping that the game would be a little more like the Madden series that EA puts out for their NFL fans. This year we got a little taste of it. The Salary Cap is in place, you can create your own player (Which I use to update rosters. IE. Making Steve Mason for the Columbus Blue Jackets so I can get the rosters as close to real as possible) I do have some beef with the game though. For one, when you are playing in a game you can set your lines to auto, manual, or off. I play with my lines manual so I can play with all my fave players. Now what makes me angry is that the computer team which you are playing throws the same 5 guys out for all 60 minutes. WITHOUT getting tired... pretty unrealistic. Its tough to beat the likes of Detroit and Pittsburgh when your constantly having to change your lines due to fatigue and they keep their top line out there. But I digress.
Now for what you've been waiting for, the simulated season. I obviously had to control a team in this, but I never play a game nor do I stop simulation at any time to make adjustments. All results are from simulation, I do not have any part in this except for pushing simulate. I did however watch all the games of the Stanley Cup Final. I jotted down the standings, leaders in goals, assists... etc. Also each round of the playoffs, how many games each round was for each team, and finally the winners of the 14 Awards at the end of the season.
To start I check every team roster on the game, then on the team's website. Do the teams lines as close to real as I can and then I enter the season. I put computer trading off so that the rosters will be as they are now for the entire year. Regular season wins 2 points, OTL 1 point, 5 minute 4v4 OT followed by shootout. Just like the NHL. Playoffs saw 5v5 20 minute OT periods. The results of this simulated season throughout the regular season was pretty astounding. Most of the teams that are in playoff spots right now ended up with playoff births. Different positions than they are in now.
Eastern Conference
1- Pittsburgh Penguins 110 Pts
2- Washington Capitals 101 Pts
3- Boston Bruins 99 Pts
4- New York Rangers 100 Pts
5- Philadelphia Flyers 100 Pts
6- Florida Panthers 90 Pts
7- New Jersey Devils 89 Pts
8- Ottawa Senators 88 Pts
9- Montreal Canadiens 86 Pts
10- Carolina Hurricanes 86 Pts
11- Toronto Maple Leafs 86 Pts
12- Buffalo Sabres 84 Pts
13- Atlanta Thrashers 80 Pts
14- Tampa Bay Lightning 76 Pts
15- New York Islanders 70 Pts
Western Conference
1- Calgary Flames 105 Pts
2- Detroit Red Wings 103 Pts
3- San Jose Sharks 95 Pts
4- Chicago Blackhawks 95 Pts
5- Edmonton Oilers 95 Pts
6- Columbus Blue Jackets 93 Pts
7- St. Louis Blues 91 Pts
8- Vancouver Canucks 89 Pts
9- Anaheim Ducks 89 Pts
10-Dallas Stars 87 Pts
11- Minnesota Wild 83 Pts
12- Los Angeles Kings 82 Pts
13- Colorado Avalanche 77 Pts
14- Nashville Predators 72 Pts
15- Phoenix Coyotes 64 Pts
Goals:
WSH Alex Ovechkin 76
Assists:
OTT Jason Spezza 72
Points:
WSH Alex Ovechkin 128
PIMS:
OTT Chris Neil 288
GAA:
DET Chris Osgood 2.91
Wins:
PIT Marc-Andre Fleury 45
+/-:
CAL Jarome Iginla +55
CBJ Raffi Torres -38
East Quarters:
Pittsburgh 4
Ottawa 1
Pittsburgh In 5 Games
Washington 4
New Jersey Devils 2
Washington In 6 Games
Boston 4
Florida 2
Boston In 6 Games
New York Rangers 2
Philadelphia 4
Philadelphia In 6 Games
East Semi-Finals:
Pittsburgh 4
Philadelphia 2
Pittsburgh In 6 Games
Washington 4
Boston 3
Washington In 7 Games
East Final:
Pittsburgh 4
Washington 1
Pittsburgh In 5 Games
West Quarters:
Calgary 4
Vancouver 2
Calgary In 6 Games
Detroit 4
St. Louis 1
Detroit In 5 Games
San Jose 2
Columbus 4
Columbus In 6 Games
Chicago 3
Edmonton 4
Edmonton In 7 Games
West Semi-Finals:
Calgary 4
Columbus 2
Calgary In 6 Games
Detroit 2
Edmonton 4
Edmonton In 6 Games
West Final:
Calgary 3
Edmonton 4
Edmonton In 7 Games
Stanley Cup Final: (1e) Pittsburgh V. (5w) Edmonton
Game 1 Pit 1-0 *Malkin/Staal both with Hat-Tricks*
Pittsburgh 8
Edmonton 1
Game 2 Tied 1-1 *Gagner/O'Sullivan 4 points*
Pittsburgh 3
Edmonton 6
Game 3 Pit 2-1 *Gonchar 2 Goals*
Pittsburgh 4
Edmonton 2
Game 4 Pit 3-1 *Staal 7:32 into OT*
Pittsburgh 5 OT
Edmonton 4
Game 5 Pit 3-2 *Cogliano PP 18:55 into the second overtime*
Pittsburgh 4 2OT
Edmonton 5
Game 6 Tied 3-3 *Cogliano Hat-Trick*
Pittsburgh 2
Edmonton 3
Game 7 Pit 4-3 *3:34 into the third OT Jordan Staal*
Pittsburgh 3 3OT
Edmonton 2
Awards:
Stanley Cup - Pittsburgh Penguins
Presidents Trophy - Pittsburgh Penguins
Conn Smythe - Jordan Staal Pit
Art Ross - Alex Ovechkin Wsh
Hart Memorial - Alex Ovechkin Wsh
James Norris - Mike Green Wsh
Lady Byng - Jarome Iginla Cal
Calder - Kris Versteeg Chi
Vezina - Martin Brodeur Njd
William M. Jennings - Steve Mason Cbj
Bill Masterson - Ethan Moreau Edm
Frank J. Selke - Tim Connolly Buf
Lester B. Pearson - Alex Ovechkin Wsh
Maurice Richard - Alex Ovechkin Wsh
There you have it. The 2008-2009 simulated season.
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