Unbelievable Upset: How the Vegas Golden Knights Claimed the Stanley Cup in a Shocking NHL 26 Season Simulation

Well, if you’d have asked me a year ago who’d be hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2026, I might’ve thrown out a dozen names before landing on the Vegas Golden Knights. But here we are, thanks to the latest NHL 26 simulation by EA SPORTS, and Vegas is standing tall as the champions. It wasn’t a walk in the park — they slugged through seven-game marathons against the Canucks and Oilers, then took down the Avalanche in six before facing off with the Rangers in a nail-biting seven-game Final. Mitch Marner? Yeah, he wasn’t just in the background; he nabbed the Conn Smythe Trophy and led the playoffs in points, with Eichel and Panarin not far behind. Oh, and the Sharks snuck into the playoffs on the strength of Macklin Celebrini’s 95 points, while the Avalanche snagged the Presidents’ Trophy. Regular season saw Connor McDavid owning both the Art Ross and Hart Trophies with a staggering 134 points, and Auston Matthews wasn’t slouching either with his 61 goals grabbing the Rocket Richard. The awards parade kept rolling with Cale Makar’s Norris, Hellebuyck’s Vezina repeat, Anthony Cirelli’s Selke breakthrough, a rookie-season 75 points from Ivan Demidov landing him the Calder, and Bruce Cassidy taking home the Jack Adams. Remember last year when the NHL 25 simulation crowned the Rangers champs? Guess we’ll have to see if this simulation curse sticks around or if Vegas can truly live up to the hype this time around. LEARN MORE

The Vegas Golden Knights will be your 2026 Stanley Cup champions, according to the official season simulation done by EA SPORTS in NHL 26. 

The Golden Knights defeated the Canucks and Oilers in seven games before defeating the Avalanche in six to advance to the Finals. They took down the Rangers in seven games with Mitch Marner taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy. Marner led the playoffs in scoring followed by Jack Eichel and Artemi Panarin.

The San Jose Sharks earned a surprise playoff berth on the back of 95 points from Macklin Celebrini while the Avalanche won the Presidents Trophy. 

Connor McDavid took home the Art Ross and Hart Trophy after posting 134 points during the regular season. 

Auston Matthew won the Rocket Richard with 61 goals, Cale Makar won the Norris, while Connor Hellebuyck repeated as the Vezina winner.

Anthony Cirelli won his first career Selke Trophy, Ivan Demidov won the Calder after notching 75 points while Bruce Cassidy won the Jack Adams. 

NHL 25 predicted the New York Rangers to win the Stanley Cup last season, we will see if the simulation jinx continues this year.

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