NHL playoff standings: Who wins the Presidents' Trophy?

The NHL began handing out the Presidents' Trophy to the team with the best regular-season record beginning in the 1985-86 campaign. In its history, it has been awarded 37 times to 18 clubs.

Those teams have been anything but a shoo-in to win the Stanley Cup, however. Just two clubs in the salary cap era (since 2005-06) have won the Presidents' Trophy and hoisted the Stanley Cup: the 2007-08 Detroit Red Wings and the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. Two of the past six Presidents' Trophy winners have lost in the first round.

So, that's the challenge ahead for whomever claims the trophy this season. At this juncture, it appears to have been whittled down to one of two teams: the Winnipeg Jets (with 106 points through 74 games) or the Washington Capitals (103 through 73).

The Capitals will face off against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+), while the Jets will take on the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

From an overall strength of schedule standpoint, the Jets have a more difficult route. According to Stathletes, the win percentage of their remaining opponents is 51.3%, which is 12th toughest. Compare that to 47.3% -- the 28th toughest -- for the Capitals.

Despite that, Stathletes gives Winnipeg the edge, projecting the Jets for 115.9 points and the Caps for 114.7. It appears this race will come down to the very end!

There are less than three weeks left until season's end on April 17, and we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:br/>Current playoff matchupsbr/>Clinching scenariosbr/>Today's schedulebr/>Yesterday's scoresbr/>Expanded standingsbr/>Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Clinching scenarios

The Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs will both clinch a playoff berth if either of the following occurs:

• The Montreal Canadiens lose to the Florida Panthers in any fashion


• The Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Nashville Predators in any fashion

The Tampa Bay Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion, AND both of the following occur:

• The Canadiens lose to the Panthers in regulation


• The Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation

The Panthers will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Canadiens in regulation AND the Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation.

The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Edmonton Oilers in any fashion, OR:

They lose in OT/shootout to the Oilers and either:

• The Calgary Flames lose to the Utah Hockey Club in any fashion


• The St. Louis Blues lose to the Detroit Red Wings in regulation

The Golden Knights also clinch a playoff spot regardless of their own outcome if the Flames lose to the Hockey Club in regulation.

Tuesday's games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Monday's scoreboard

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 94