EA Sports NHL Just Jinxed This One NHL Team From Winning The Stanley Cup
On September 15, EA sports released a trailer showcasing some of the upcoming changes to the new NHL video game (NHL 23) set to release in fall. The trailer showcased multiple changes to the game's presentation, all of which should be welcomed by those that play the NHL video game. In the midst of the trailer, EA Sports revealed their pick for the 2023 Stanley Cup winner.
EA Sports showed the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals. As exciting as this might be, Toronto has now been plagued by the notorious EA jinx. Can the Leafs overcome this jinx? Perhaps.
The leafs will be once again led by Auston Matthews who posted 60 goals along with 46 assists in only 73 games. Nylander and Tavares will also be returning and the high powered offense should once again be a major factor. Last season the Leafs finished 3rd overall with 115 points and averaged 3.80 goals per game.
The biggest question for the Leafs is their goaltending. During the 2021-22 season, Jack Campbell was their main starter. However, Campbell entered free agency and signed with the Edmonton Oilers in July. With Campbell leaving, the Leafs had to find another goaltender. The Leafs traded for Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray. Had this trade came a few years ago, it would have been a great move. Matt Murray has been hit with injuries over the past 2 seasons and has only been able to play a little over 20 games in each of the past two season. The Leafs also signed Ilya Samsonov in the offseason. Samsonov a posted a 3.02 GAA and .896 SV% last season with the Capitals, which isn't stellar.
Can the Maple Leafs overcome the EA jinx? The offense should still be there, and the defense remains about the same, but the goaltending will be the biggest factor for the Leafs this upcoming season.
| POLL | ||
Would you consider the Maple Leafs to be a Stanley Cup favorite for the 2022-23 season? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 43.2 % |
| No | 92 | 56.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
