Presidents' Trophy 2017-18
The Presidents' Trophy won by the Washington Capitals during the 2017-18 NHL season stands as a monumental milestone in franchise history. Awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, this honor marked the first time in the club's existence that they secured the league's top standing, surpassing all other teams in points accumulation.
- Season
- 2017-18
- Achievement
- Presidents' Trophy Winner
- Games Played
- 82
- Record
- 45-23-14
- Significance
- First Presidents' Trophy in franchise history
Lore & Background
The trophy represented more than just regular-season dominance; it was the validation of a core group that had been together for years. The victory signaled that Washington was not merely a contender but the best team in the league over the grueling 82-game marathon. This achievement set the stage for their subsequent Stanley Cup run, proving that their depth and skill were sufficient to handle the pressure of being the number one seed.
In Their Own Story
The arena hummed with a tension different from any playoff game; it was the quiet confidence of a season finally sealed. Alex Ovechkin skated toward the center ice, not with the fire of a goal scorer, but with the calm of a king who had finally claimed his throne before the true war even began.
Reader's Guide
This achievement was significant as it ended a long drought where the team had never finished atop the league standings, marking a new era of sustained excellence. Contextually, this record was built on a balanced attack and elite goaltending from Braden Holtby, who led the league in saves percentage at times. The team's ability to grind out wins against top-tier opponents ensured they maintained their lead throughout the grueling schedule. The trophy served as a psychological boost heading into the playoffs, establishing Washington as the team to beat. It validated the long-term strategy of building around Ovechkin and Carlson, proving that their core could dominate not just in moments, but over an entire season.
Did You Know?
- This was the first time in franchise history the Capitals won the Presidents' Trophy.
- Alex Ovechkin scored 41 goals during this record-breaking regular season.
- Winning the trophy meant they hosted every playoff round until the Stanley Cup Final.