One year after reaching the Stanley Cup finals, the Nashville Predators have claimed the No. 1 spot in the league.
A 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals and a 3-2 win for the Florida Panthers over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night helped the Preds earn their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history.
Not only did Nashville’s win solidify its place atop the Central Division, but also the Western Conference. As a result, it will have home ice advantage throughout the entirety of the playoffs.
Since the NHL started handing out the Presidents’ Trophy in the 1985-86 season, the winner has gone on to win the Stanley Cup eight times. The last time a team claimed both the Presidents’ Trophy and won the Stanley Cup was during the 2012-13 season, when the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Bruins in six games.
