The NHL playoffs will go through D.C., so to speak.
With a 4-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Washington Capitals clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the league during the 2015-16 season. More important than the trophy: Washington receives home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Of course, naysayers will blurt out “For how long they last.”
Just ask New York Islanders winger Cal Clutterbuck, who told the New York Post that he’d rather not deal with the burden of being a heavy favorite.
“I don’t think it’s a positive thing when you turn on the TV every single time and you have everybody in the world telling you you’re supposed to win the Stanley Cup,” Clutterbuck said. “I’d hate to be the Washington Capitals right now. A lot of pressure.”
This marks the second time the Capitals won the Presidents’ Trophy, something that core players Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom likely recall.
The @washcaps also matched a franchise record with their 54th win of the season, set in 2009-10 when they won their first Presidents' Trophy
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 29, 2016
Of course, this time around, they have a potentially record-breaking goalie in net in Braden Holtby, who is now at 46 wins (two short of Martin Brodeur’s single-season wins record of 48).
.@Holts170 (@washcaps) is just the fifth goaltender in NHL history to register 46 wins in a single season. #CBJvsWSH pic.twitter.com/CmQuhwp1D0
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 29, 2016
Will this new regime be enough to change things around? That remains to be seen, yet it’s tough to deny how special this season has been for the Capitals.
This regular season, at least.