I’m really excited about the Stanley Cup finals this year. The Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Detroit Red Wings. Hossa versus karma. Marc-Andre Fleury versus Chris Osgood. You get the idea. There’s no shortage of story lines either (don’t forget the Penguins backup goalie last year was Ty Conklin, who happened to sign with the Red Wings this past summer…).
So with such anticipation, a few days between series’ and admittedly too much free time, I simulated a 7 game series between the Red Wings and Penguins in NHL09 on my Xbox 360. The results? Quite formidable, depending on who you’re rooting for. And surprisingly realistic, too.
Here’s how the series shaped up, game by game with noted highlights.
Game 1: Detroit wins 3-2
Dan Cleary get’s the game winner as a result of Marc-Andre Fleury misplaying the puck late in the 3rd period. After the game, I edit Fleury’s goalie pads back to his old school bright yellow pads.
Game 2: Pittsburgh wins 4-1
The Detroit team auto-edited Marian Hossa’s visor to be tinted, as a result of Fleury’s pads. Apparently EA Sports has a sense of humor.
Game 3: Pittsburgh wins 1-0
Fleury gets a 28-save shutout for the Penguins. Must be the pads.
Game 4: Detroit wins 3-1
Nik Kronwall’s feet left the ice for a big hit late in the 3rd period after Evgeni Malkin makes a sweet dangle. I think Malkin’s head blew up. He leaves the game with an upper body injury and doesn’t return. I checked and the game doesn’t give 5 minute interference penalties. Ever.
Game 5: Pittsburgh wins 4-3 (OT)
Chris Osgood get’s a hard slash from Brooks Orpik as retribution from Kronwall’s hit. After that, Ozzy let’s in a weak OT goal from Sidney Crosby. Never thought I’d say this, but compared to the video game, Crosby’s real life mustache isn’t that creepy.
Game 6: Detroit wins 4-2
Pavol Datsyuk plays a strong game for Detroit, but with a glitch in the game, one of his skates is twice as big as the other one. Wait, upon instant reply and super zooming, it’s actually showing how swollen his foot really is. Kinda gross.
Game 7: Pittsburgh wins 5-3
Craig Adams scores the fifth goal of the game into an empty net… again. Pretty sure the Xbox is psychic or something. The reflection of the Stanley Cup shows Marian Hossa with an evil look reminiscent of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. Also, my Xbox started kept glitching and Crosby refused to pick up Lord Stanley, thinking it was the Prince of Wales trophy.
And of course, in a crazy ironic sequence, Marian Hossa signs a 1 year contract with the Penguins in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent in hopes to win a Stanley Cup.
Stay classy, Stanley Cup finals.
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I liked how the Penguins played for the most part, but I still think they are giving too much respect to Zetterberg. Really liked the hard play on Hossa though.
I love how Sidney Crosby does something huge every game 1 of each series. His hit on Zetterberg really set the tone.
For the record, I believe the majority of the city of Ottawa is rooting for Pittsburgh.