And As The First Puck Drops
Starting today, NHL fans will have the opportunity to make their Stanley Cup® Playoffs predictions in the EA SPORTS™ NHL®2011 Playoff Bracket Contest on Facebook. Fans can make their predictions on the real series using the EA SPORTS NHL 11 simulation engine that will link to the Playoffs bracket and predict who will advance to the next round. The engine correctly predicted that the Chicago Blackhawks would win the Stanley Cup last year, and that the Vancouver Canucks would win the Presidents’ Trophy this year. Fans will vote on the winner of each series at the start of each round, accumulating points for 
correct selections; prizing will be available for each round so fans can continue to enter after the playoffs start. A grand prize winner will receive two tickets to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa for the most points accumulated throughout the contest; the winner will be announced at the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.*
The NHL 11 computerized simulation is conducted using artificial intelligence that uses real-life data from each team, such as player ratings and line combinations, and includes variances such as injuries and hot streaks to predict a realistic outcome of each game and series.
Contest Schedule:
First round selections open today, and subsequent rounds will be announced at the end of each series.
EA SPORTS NHL 11 Round One Predictions – Conference Quarterfinals:
Western Conference
(1) Vancouver defeats (8) Chicago; 4-2
(2) San Jose defeats (7) LA Kings; 4-1
(3) Detroit defeats (6) Phoenix; 4-2
(5) Nashville defeats (4) Anaheim; 4-3
Eastern Conference:
(1) Washington defeats (8) NY Rangers; 4-0
(2) Philadelphia defeats (7) Buffalo; 4-1
(3) Boston defeats Montreal (6); 4-3
(5) Tampa Bay defeats (4) Pittsburgh; 4-2
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. Contest starts April 13, 2011 and runs through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Complete Contest rules can be found online.
