A Predators-Canadiens Cup Final would feature the teams involved in the most notable move of the offseason, when the Canadiens traded defenseman P.K. Subban to the Predators for defenseman Shea Webber on June 29.
In the simulation, Predators forward Filip Forsberg wins the Conn Smythe Trophy with 26 points in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Predators' road to the Cup includes six-game series wins against the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars in the first two rounds, and then a defeat of the San Jose Sharks in six games in the Western Conference Final.
According to the simulation, Montreal will defeat the Florida Panthers in seven games in the first round, the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the second round and the Washington Capitals in six games in the Eastern Conference Final to reach the Cup Final for the first time since 1993.
Led by captain Connor McDavid, who is projected to win the Art Ross, Ted Lindsay and Hart trophies, the Edmonton Oilers finish third in the Pacific Division and end their 10-season playoff drought. Auston Matthews, the No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft, will win the Calder Trophy and lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13. In the simulation the Maple Leafs have 91 points to finish as the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
Canadiens goalie Carey Price wins the Vezina Trophy for the second time in three seasons, and Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is named the winner of the Norris Trophy.
NHL 17 projects the Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1989-90, ending their playoff streak at 25 seasons.
The
full list of simulation results are here
. NHL 17 is on sale now in stores and at
easports.com
.
