EA Sports has innovated a new, physical brand of hockey that includes first-person fighting in NHL 10 to match the toughness and emotional intensity real-world NHL players endure in pursuit of a Stanley Cup Championship.

The franchise begins a new era with gameplay innovations that deliver a new standard of toughness, the emotion of playoff hockey on the ice and in the arena, and over 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse that every fan sees throughout the NHL playoffs.

The Chicago Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 1960-61 season, according to the official EA SPORTS simulation of the 2010 NHL playoffs on the award-winning NHL 10 videogame. The Blackhawks defeated the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in a seven game series to end a 49 year Stanley Cup drought.

Chicago all-star forward Jonathan Toews scored the series-clinching goal seven minutes into overtime of the seventh game, and Cristobal Huet stopped 43 of 44 shots to knock-off the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins. Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith was a force on the blue line both offensively and defensively, potting four goals and netting a +5 rating in the match up against the Penguins. He finished with 25 points in the playoffs, including 17 assists.  Patrick Kane led the Hawks in playoff scoring with 27 points while Pittsburgh centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin tied for the lead in playoff scoring with 31 points apiece.

2010 Stanley Cup Finals

Game 1 – Chicago 3 Pittsburgh 2 OT
Game 2 – Pittsburgh 2 Chicago 1
Game 3 – Chicago 4 Pittsburgh 1
Game 4 – Pittsburgh 5 Chicago 2
Game 5 – Chicago 5 Pittsburgh 1

Game 6 – Pittsburgh 4 Chicago 3 OT
Game 7 – Chicago 2 Pittsburgh 1 OT

Notable 2010 Playoff Highlights

• The Vancouver Canucks will reach the conference finals for the first time since their improbable Cup run in 1993-1994 NHL playoffs, but are eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks for the second consecutive post-season.
• The Phoenix Coyotes make the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season, but are eliminated in their first round match-up against the Detroit Red Wings.
• The 2009 Stanley Cup Finalist, Detroit Red Wings are handed an early exit by the Vancouver Canucks in the conference semi-finals.
• Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin face off in the Eastern Conference Final. Crosby’s Penguins walk away with the victory in this high scoring seven game series.

2010 NHL Playoff Point Leaders

The NHL 10 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.

A new first-person fighting engine enables players to trade punches with an NHL tough guy. Feel what it’s like to be on the ice in the skates of an NHL player to throw and dodge punches. Grab and tug an opponent’s jersey to land a punch that ignites the fans and sparks your team to victory. Challenge a skill player and an opposing team tough guy will step in to settle the score.

On ice toughness and intimidation is taken to a new level in NHL 10 where winning one-on-one battles for possession of the puck along the boards becomes a test of will and skill. Utilizing an all-new board physics engine, players can use their body to shield the puck on the boards and then kick-pass it to teammates. Bigger, stronger players pin opponents to the boards while fanatical fans bang on the glass, just like real life. Fore-check defenders, pressure the puck and finish checks to intimidate your opponent into mistakes. Players fatigue, bobble passes, and avoid collisions under threat of constant physical pressure. Inspire teammates, ignite the fans and change the momentum of a game by instigating scrums, drawing penalties, and mixing it up — all after the referee blows the whistle!

NHL 10 features more than 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse of hockey and deliver the most responsive and authentic action ever for the series. Players can one-time loose pucks, score from their knees, knock pucks out of the air and lift a leg to fake a shot on goal. A new 360° precision passing mechanic delivers control over the speed and direction of passes so players can bank passes off the boards or play the puck into space for teammates to skate on to it. Plus, all-new interactive crowds bring the emotion of playoff hockey to life with towel-waving fans, glass bangers and crowds that react to the action on the ice.

Prove you are tough enough to quiet the crowd, silence the opposition and survive a playoff run to lift the Stanley Cup in NHL 10.