As we’ve written previously in this space, the winner of the Presidents’ Trophy is by no means guaranteed a Stanley Cup championship. Since the trophy was first awarded in 1985-86, only eight teams have won the regular-season points race and the Cup in the same campaign, the most recent being the Chicago Blackhawks in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
But it’s nevertheless an impressive accomplishment and guarantees home-ice advantage throughout the postseason to the team that claims the crown.
So who’s winning it this season?
Following wins yesterday, the New York Rangers and Dallas Stars continue to lead the pace. The Rangers are at 112 points and 42 regulation wins through 81 games. They’ll close out their regular season on Monday against the Ottawa Senators, and a win of any kind in that game clinches the Presidents’ Trophy for them.
The Stars have 111 points and 40 regulation wins through 81 games. Dallas will play its final game on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues, and will know prior to opening puck drop whether it can catch New York.
The Carolina Hurricanes, who skate against the Blackhawks on Sunday (6 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), have 109 points and 43 regulation wins through 80 games. After Sunday’s matchup against one lottery team, their final game Tuesday is also against a team in the bottom four of the league, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canes are also hoping for a Rangers loss to the Sens to make this all interesting.
Finally, the Boston Bruins have 109 points and 36 regulation wins following their win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night. Much like the other clubs, they’re hoping for the Rangers to lose to Ottawa to make things more interesting; the Bruins skate against the Washington Capitals Monday, followed by those very same Senators on Tuesday to close out their regular season. Given their regulation wins deficit to all these other teams, the Bruins will need to win out and hope the other teams cap out at 112 or below.
As we traverse the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check in on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).
Points: 89 Regulation wins: 30 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 2 Points pace: 91 Next game: vs. SEA (Sunday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 85 Regulation wins: 31 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 2 Points pace: 87 Next game: @ LA (Monday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 75 Regulation wins: 27 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 2 Points pace: 77 Next game: @ CGY (Sunday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 51 Regulation wins: 17 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 3 Points pace: 53 Next game: vs. CAR (Sunday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 107 Regulation wins: 43 Playoff position: P1 Games left: 2 Points pace: 110 Next game: vs. CGY (Tuesday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 102 Regulation wins: 38 Playoff position: P2 Games left: 3 Points pace: 106 Next game: vs. SJ (Monday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 97 Regulation wins: 37 Playoff position: P3 Games left: 2 Points pace: 99 Next game: vs. MIN (Monday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94 Regulation wins: 33 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 3 Points pace: 98 Next game: vs. COL (Sunday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 27 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 3 Points pace: 82 Next game: @ STL (Sunday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 77 Regulation wins: 30 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 3 Points pace: 80 Next game: vs. ARI (Sunday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 57 Regulation wins: 20 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 1 Points pace: 58 Next game: @ VGK (Thursday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 47 Regulation wins: 14 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 2 Points pace: 48 Next game: @ EDM (Monday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
p — clinched Presidents’ Trophy y — clinched division x — clinched playoff berth e — eliminated from playoff contention
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.
Points: 47 Regulation wins: 14
Points: 51 Regulation wins: 17
Points: 57 Regulation wins: 20
Points: 64 Regulation wins: 20
Points: 74 Regulation wins: 20
Points: 75 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 76 Regulation wins: 24
Points: 77 Regulation wins: 30
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 81 Regulation wins: 33
Points: 82 Regulation wins: 32
Points: 85 Regulation wins: 31
Points: 86 Regulation wins: 31
Points: 87 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 87 Regulation wins: 30
Points: 89 Regulation wins: 30
* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.