NHL 18 simulation picks the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup

The game predicts the Lightning will defeat the Oilers in seven games to capture the franchise's second Stanley Cup

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By Jacob Lynn
@TBLightning TampaBayLightning.com

It's only a video game, but EA Sports NHL's annual simulation of the upcoming season predicts big things for the Lightning in 2017-2018.
With 106 points, NHL 18 has the Bolts winning the Atlantic Division and qualifying third in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game then has the Lightning roll through the postseason, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in seven games to capture the Stanley Cup.

According to the simulation, Steven Stamkos will score the Cup-clinching goal 12 minutes into the second period of game seven.
The game predicts that Nikita Kucherov will lead the league in scoring to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player of the playoffs with 14 goals and 27 points.
EA Sports came close to correctly identifying the Stanley Cup Champion last season. The simulation accurately predicted that the Nashville Predators would play in the Stanley Cup Finals, although the game claimed the Preds would win the Cup over Montreal.

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