NHL 14 simulation picks Boston Bruins as 2014 Stanley Cup champions

This spring, the Boston Bruins will win their second Stanley Cup in four years, according to EA Sports' simulation of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs in NHL 14.

The Bruins, the best team in hockey during the 2013-14 regular season, defeated the San Jose Sharks four games to two in EA's simulation. They eked by the New York Rangers with an overtime victory in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals after taking down the Detroit Red Wings in the first round and the Montreal Canadiens in the semifinals. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask led the way, posting a 1.56 goals-against average and a 16-6-2 record with four shutouts in 24 playoff games.

Last year's real-life Western Conference champions, the Chicago Blackhaws, were sent home in the second round by the Colorado Avalanche, who fell to the Sharks in the conference finals in six games. Before that point, the Sharks had proved themselves to be the best team in California, defeating the Los Angeles Kings and then the Anaheim Ducks.

EA traditionally conducts simulations for the championships in a variety of sports, including football with Madden NFL, which has correctly predicted eight of the last 11 Super Bowl winners. You can see how accurate NHL 14 ends up being when the NHL playoffs begin tomorrow, April 16.