A simulation run using EA SPORTS NHL 12 predicts that Sidney Crosby will lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference standings (100 points) and their fourth Stanley Cup Championship. Crosby, despite missing almost 17 games during the regular season, will be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Penguins take home the Stanley Cup in what EA Sports calls "a decisive 4-2 series win" against the Chicago Blackhawks. EA sports points out that its NHL franchise has a history of successfully simulating and predicting Stanley Cup final matches and winners.

Other predictions coming out of this year's simulation:

• The Toronto Maple Leafs will squeak out an eighth place finish in the Eastern Conference, making the Playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.
• The Minnesota Wild will finish eighth in the Western Conference and will make the Playoffs for the first time since 2008.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning will once again miss out on the Stanley Cup Final; eliminated by the Penguins in a seven game Eastern Conference Final

Some players stood out in the simulation such as Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who will once again lead the League offensively, posting 110 points and will take homing home the Art Ross, Ted Lindsay and the Hart Memorial trophies; NHL 12 Cover Athlete Steven Stamkos will capture the Rocket Richard Trophy with 53 goals; the Nashville Predators' Shea Weber will capture the James Norris Memorial Trophy; Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will take home the Frank J. Selke Trophy; Brayden Schenn from the Philadelphia Flyers will be awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy; and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers will take home his first ever Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie.

NHL 12 was developed at EA Canada in Vancouver and is rated E10+ by the ESRB.