NHL 19 Simulation Predicts Toronto Maple Leafs as 2019 Stanley Cup Champions

The 2018-19 NHL season starts next week and today EA Sports has released their NHL 19 annual season simulation. The sim, which is conducted annually by artificial intelligence, using real-life data from each player, predicts the Toronto Maple Leafs to defeat the San Jose Sharks and hoist the Stanley Cup.

Led by center John Tavares, it will mark a 50-year championship drought for the franchise. Full results and details can be read at the official NHL 19 website.

Some notable predictions from the season simulation include:

• Following an off-season full of rumors and uncertainty surrounding his future in Ottawa, Erik Karlsson settled down with his new team, leading the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final and claiming his third James Norris Memorial Trophy, as the league’s best defenseman

• Former NHL 18 cover athlete Connor McDavid continued to dominate the league, taking home the Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (scoring champion)

• The Vegas Golden Knights proved to be more than a one-year-wonder, claiming the Presidents Trophy thanks to a league-high 118 points

• Led by NHL 19 cover star P.K. Subban, the Nashville Predators again made a deep run into the playoffs, before losing in the Western Conference Final to San Jose

• Powered by #1 overall pick and Calder Memorial Trophy winner Rasmus Dahlin, the Buffalo Sabres returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season

Results were determined by the videogame when two teams match up based on player ratings, line combinations, and include variances such as injuries and hot streaks to give a realistic outcome of a game or series.