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The San Jose Sharks -- led by Conn Smythe Trophy Winner Joe Thornton -- will be the 2008 Stanley Cup winners, at least in the virtual world of EA Sports' NHL 08 video game. In the 2007-08 season simulation, the Sharks beat the Prince of Wales Trophy-winning Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 4-2 for the league title. The Sharks finished the regular season in fourth place in the Western Conference, while the Penguins held the same spot in the Eastern Conference. (Full playoff bracket)
In the West, the 2007 Stanley Cup winners Anaheim Ducks continued to dominate this year leading the way with 51 wins and 109 total points to take Pacific Division title and lead the pack into the playoffs. Colorado won the Northwest Division with 48 wins and 104 points holding off the 2nd place Vancouver Canucks who finished with 101 points. The Central Division winning Detroit Red Wings had only 100 points, 6th in the conference but with their division win, seeded themselves 3rd for the playoffs.
In the East, the NY Rangers with 52 wins and 113 points earned top spot led by Maurice Richard Trophy winner Jaromir Jagr who also led the league with 54 goals. Ottawa had yet another strong season with the big three of Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, and Daniel Alfredsson contributing to their Northeast Division title. With 94 points and the Southeast Division title, Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes round out the division leaders and the earned the third seed in the East.
Pittsburgh found it's way into the Eastern Conference finals with a series win over points and assists leader Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games followed by a near sweep of the Hurricanes who downed the New Jersey Devils in their opening round in five games. Leading the way in season shots and power play goals, Sydney Crosby then turned it on against the league leading Rangers and upset the President Trophy winners in Game 7 in front of a stunned crowd at MSG to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
San Jose's road to the Stanley Cup began with a tough series win against the Vancouver Canucks in seven followed by yet another 7-game series knocking off the veteran Red Wings to earn their birth in the Western Conference finals against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers upset Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche in seven games in the opening round and continued their uphill battle by defeating the defending champs in six games in front of the Oil faithful in Alberta. In the Conference Finals however, their Cinderella story would end as the Sharks would not be another upset victim taking the Clarence S Campbell Bowl and punching their ticket to the Cup finals.
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