Cup Favorites Oilers, Penguins Eliminated from NHL Playoffs Before They Even Start

Yet another classic example of "that is why they play the games" is the re-start of the NHL season.

One of the simple joys of the sporting season is seeing the result of simulations and suffice to say EA Sports completely missed the mark with this one.

Its simulation squared off four of the games best players with Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in six games defeating Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The problem is that neither the Oilers nor Penguins advanced into the playoff stage after both were eliminated in their respective conference qualifiers.

Both Pittsburgh and Edmonton were wiped out by No. 12 seeds, Montreal and Chicago, respectively and will end the season much earlier than anticipated.

"We knew if it's going to be a 24-team playoff, everybody's going to have a chance," said Montreal player Artturi Lehkonen. "We showed up at camp ready to play."

As for other simulations, most enjoy the Madden version.

Madden simulations are often reported on by just about every outlet and its results tracked: it has correctly picked 11 of the last 17, but at one point it as 8-2 when the simulations began. To its credit it also nailed the Patriots 28-24 victory over Seattle in Super Bowl 49.