Greetings once again! I had grandiose plans of getting a new version of the simulator done in time for the playoffs this year. Oops - looks like the playoffs are going to start before I get there. Damn.

Oh well - for now, here's the old simulator run for the first round. Maybe I'll get around to the new version before the end of the playoffs. No guarantees though.

NY Rangers 0.657 0.391 0.180 0.093
Boston 0.807 0.566 0.354 0.218
Florida0.305 0.056 0.012 0.003
Pittsburgh 0.629 0.374 0.214 0.123
Philadelphia 0.371 0.178 0.080 0.037
New Jersey 0.695 0.282 0.103 0.043
Washington 0.193 0.058 0.019 0.006
Ottawa 0.343 0.096 0.037 0.014

Vancouver0.641 0.407 0.227 0.118
St Louis 0.650 0.408 0.234 0.124
Phoenix0.516 0.194 0.074 0.026
Nashville0.417 0.206 0.094 0.039
Detroit0.583 0.333 0.179 0.088
Chicago0.484 0.171 0.061 0.020
San Jose 0.350 0.139 0.064 0.024
Los Angeles0.359 0.143 0.067 0.025

Some interesting matchups in the first round, with Boston benefitting the most according to goal differential against the Capitals. As a result, the Bruins are relatively heavy favourites to win the cup again - but less so than the predictor predicted for the Canucks last year (21.8% for the Bruins this year compared to 29% for the Canucks last year). Florida, despite getting home ice advantage and 3rd in the East have basically no shot at the cup - being underdogs to the Devils. Phoenix is in a similar position, but the predictor still likes their chances against first round Chicago.

Boston, St Louis, Vancouver, and Pittsburgh are the favourites in this year's playoffs. I'm looking forward to watching some playoff hockey again!!

Herald