Since the 1985-86 season, the NHL has awarded the Presidents` Trophy to the team with the best record in the regular season. Throughout history, 18 different teams have received this honor a total of 37 times.
However, winning the Presidents` Trophy doesn`t guarantee Stanley Cup success. In the salary cap era (since 2005-06), only two teams have won both: the Detroit Red Wings in 2007-08 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012-13. Recently, two of the last six Presidents` Trophy winners were even eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
This season, the Winnipeg Jets (106 points in 74 games) and the Washington Capitals (103 points in 73 games) are the top contenders for the Presidents` Trophy.
Upcoming games include Capitals versus Boston Bruins on Tuesday, and Jets against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday as well.
Statistics suggest the Jets have a slightly harder schedule remaining. Their opponents` average win percentage is 51.3%, ranking as the 12th toughest. In contrast, the Capitals` remaining opponents have a 47.3% win rate, the 28th toughest schedule.
Despite the tougher schedule, projections favor Winnipeg to win the Presidents` Trophy with approximately 115.9 points, compared to 114.7 points for Washington. The race is expected to be very close.
With less than three weeks remaining until the season ends on April 17th, the focus is on the playoff picture and the NHL draft lottery. Updates on playoff races and teams vying for a top pick in the 2025 NHL draft will continue.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
- M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
- M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
- P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
- P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Clinching Scenarios
The Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs will clinch a playoff spot if:
- The Montreal Canadiens lose to the Florida Panthers.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Nashville Predators.
The Tampa Bay Lightning clinch if they beat the New York Islanders AND:
- The Canadiens lose to the Panthers in regulation.
- The Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation.
The Panthers clinch if they beat the Canadiens in regulation AND the Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation.
The Vegas Golden Knights clinch if they beat the Edmonton Oilers OR lose in OT/shootout to the Oilers and either:
- The Calgary Flames lose to the Utah Hockey Club.
- The St. Louis Blues lose to the Detroit Red Wings in regulation.
The Golden Knights also clinch if the Flames lose to the Hockey Club in regulation, regardless of their own game.
Tuesday`s Games
Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Utah Hockey Club, 9 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Monday`s Scoreboard
New Jersey Devils 3, Minnesota Wild 2 (SO)
Philadelphia Flyers 2, Nashville Predators 1
Calgary Flames 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (SO)
Dallas Stars 3, Seattle Kraken 1
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 94 | 37 | A1 | 8 | 104.2 | vs. FLA (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 91 | 37 | A2 | 9 | 102.2 | @ NYI (Tuesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Florida Panthers | 91 | 35 | A3 | 9 | 102.2 | @ MTL (Tuesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Ottawa Senators | 84 | 30 | WC1 | 9 | 94.4 | vs. BUF (Tuesday) | 99.8% | N/A |
| Montreal Canadiens | 77 | 25 | WC2 | 9 | 86.5 | vs. FLA (Tuesday) | 44% | N/A |
| Detroit Red Wings | 74 | 26 | N/A | 9 | 83.1 | @ STL (Tuesday) | 2.9% | 16 |
| Boston Bruins | 69 | 23 | N/A | 8 | 76.5 | vs. WSH (Tuesday) | 0.1% | 9 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 68 | 25 | N/A | 9 | 76.4 | @ OTT (Tuesday) | 0.1% | 10 |
Metro Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x – Washington Capitals | 103 | 40 | M1 | 9 | 115.7 | @ BOS (Tuesday) | 100% | N/A |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 94 | 40 | M2 | 9 | 105.6 | vs. WSH (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| New Jersey Devils | 87 | 35 | M3 | 6 | 93.9 | vs. NYR (Saturday) | 99.6% | N/A |
| New York Rangers | 77 | 32 | N/A | 8 | 85.3 | vs. MIN (Wednesday) | 27.8% | 17 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 75 | 23 | N/A | 10 | 85.4 | vs. NSH (Tuesday) | 17.1% | 19 |
| New York Islanders | 74 | 25 | N/A | 9 | 83.1 | vs. TB (Tuesday) | 8.7% | 16 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 71 | 20 | N/A | 7 | 77.6 | @ STL (Thursday) | 0.1% | 9 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 71 | 20 | N/A | 6 | 76.6 | @ MTL (Saturday) | ~0% | 7 |
Central Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x – Winnipeg Jets | 106 | 40 | C1 | 8 | 117.5 | @ LA (Tuesday) | 100% | N/A |
| x – Dallas Stars | 102 | 40 | C2 | 8 | 113.0 | vs. NSH (Thursday) | 100% | N/A |
| Colorado Avalanche | 94 | 38 | C3 | 7 | 102.8 | @ CHI (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Minnesota Wild | 88 | 33 | WC1 | 7 | 96.2 | @ NYR (Wednesday) | 93.4% | N/A |
| St. Louis Blues | 87 | 30 | WC2 | 7 | 95.1 | vs. DET (Tuesday) | 95.5% | N/A |
| Utah Hockey Club | 78 | 25 | N/A | 8 | 86.4 | vs. CGY (Tuesday) | 0.5% | 8 |
| e – Nashville Predators | 62 | 23 | N/A | 8 | 68.7 | @ CBJ (Tuesday) | 0% | E |
| e – Chicago Blackhawks | 51 | 18 | N/A | 8 | 56.5 | vs. COL (Wednesday) | 0% | E |
Pacific Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 98 | 42 | P1 | 9 | 110.1 | vs. EDM (Tuesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Los Angeles Kings | 91 | 36 | P3 | 9 | 102.2 | vs. WPG (Tuesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Edmonton Oilers | 89 | 30 | P2 | 9 | 100.0 | @ VGK (Tuesday) | 99.5% | N/A |
| Calgary Flames | 82 | 26 | N/A | 9 | 92.1 | @ UTA (Tuesday) | 7.9% | 14 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 81 | 26 | N/A | 8 | 89.8 | vs. SEA (Wednesday) | 3.3% | 11 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 72 | 23 | N/A | 9 | 80.9 | vs. SJ (Tuesday) | 0% | 4 |
| e – Seattle Kraken | 68 | 25 | N/A | 7 | 74.4 | @ VAN (Wednesday) | 0% | E |
| e – San Jose Sharks | 49 | 14 | N/A | 9 | 55.0 | @ ANA (Tuesday | 0% | E |
Note: An `x` means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An `e` means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL draft lottery decides the first-round order, so the last-place team isn`t guaranteed the top pick. A team can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery, making only 11 teams eligible for the No. 1 pick. Matthew Schaefer from the OHL`s Erie Otters is currently ranked as the No. 1 draft prospect.
| Rank | Team | Points | Regulation Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | San Jose Sharks | 49 | 14 |
| 2. | Chicago Blackhawks | 51 | 18 |
| 3. | Nashville Predators | 62 | 23 |
| 4. | Seattle Kraken | 68 | 25 |
| 5. | Buffalo Sabres | 68 | 25 |
| 6. | Boston Bruins | 69 | 23 |
| 7. | Philadelphia Flyers | 71 | 20 |
| 8. | Pittsburgh Penguins | 71 | 20 |
| 9. | Anaheim Ducks | 72 | 23 |
| 10. | New York Islanders | 74 | 25 |
| 11. | Detroit Red Wings | 74 | 26 |
| 12. | Columbus Blue Jackets | 75 | 23 |
| 13. | New York Rangers | 77 | 32 |
| 14. | Utah Hockey Club | 78 | 25 |
| 15. | Vancouver Canucks | 81 | 26 |
| 16. | Calgary Flames | 82 | 26 |
