Here in Boston, sports talk shows are cherished. In pregame talks, experts and fans alike love making predictions concerning the game that’s about to start.
However, for Boston Bruins fans, there is one prediction that might best be ignored.
EA Sports’ NHL ’11 Simulation Engine has predicted that the Vancouver Canucks will hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup after a tough, seven-game series. That same engine picked the Chicago Blackhawks to win last season.
Given the simulation’s accuracy, (correct on 13 out of 14 series thus far) it makes waiting for the series to drop the puck seem that much further away.
Starting back in October in the beginning of the NHL season, the engine has been nearly flawless up to this point. If the computers continue to prove correct, hockey fans are in for what could be one of the most memorable Stanley Cup Finals in history.
With neither team losing a game on home ice, the simulation engine has the Bruins winning a dramatic Game 6 in overtime by a score of 3-2. With Nathan Horton’s heroics in overtime this postseason, it doesn’t seem out of the question.
However, despite two thrilling Game 7’s for Bruins fans already, this prediction has Boston on the wrong end of this one. With predicted Conn Smythe winner Roberto Luongo allowing just one goal in the deciding game, the Canucks score three times to win their first Cup in franchise history.
A simulation, however, is just a simulation. Although its accuracy warrants some attention, no one has ever been crowned champion based on a computer’s predictions.
But if Vancouver wins Game 1 by a 2-1 score in overtime, like EA says, the wait for Game 2 will be the longest three days Boston fans have had in a long time.
Here’s the entire series breakdown from EA Sports’ NHL ’11 Simulation Engine
Game 1: Boston 1 @ Vancouver 2 [OT]
Game 2: Boston 2 @ Vancouver 4
Game 3: Vancouver 0 @ Boston 1
Game 4: Vancouver 2 @ Boston 3
Game 5: Boston 2 @ Vancouver 4
Game 6: Vancouver 2 @ Boston 3 [OT]
Game 7: Boston 1@ Vancouver 3
Vancouver wins series 4-3
