The Washington Capitals were outscored 11-1 in back-to-back embarrassing losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the weekend, but as always, we must find the bright side.
With Sunday’s 4-1 loss, the Capitals may have actually improved their chances of winning the Stanley Cup in 2025. How? By avoiding the dreaded Presidents’ Trophy.
The Winnipeg Jets, led by former Capitals assistant coach Scott Arniel, clinched the trophy with a 55-22-4 record — good for 114 standings points. The Capitals, 50-21-9, have 109 points with only two games remaining (four possible points), meaning they can no longer catch up.
Over the last 16 years, only one team that has been regular-season champions has gone on to be Stanley Cup champions: the 2012–13 Chicago Blackhawks. And that was during a super weird, lockout-shortened 48-game regular season.
Playoff results of the last 16 Presidents’ Trophy winners
| Season | Team | Points | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | San Jose Sharks | 117 | Lost in Round 1 (ANA) |
| 2009-10 | Washington Capitals | 121 | Lost in Round 1 (MTL) |
| 2010-11 | Vancouver Canucks | 117 | Lost in SCF (BOS) |
| 2011-12 | Vancouver Canucks | 111 | Lost in Round 1 (LAK) |
| 2012-13 | Chicago Blackhawks | 77 | SCF champions |
| 2013-14 | Boston Bruins | 117 | Lost in Round 2 (MTL) |
| 2014-15 | New York Rangers | 113 | Lost in ECF (TBL) |
| 2015-16 | Washington Capitals | 120 | Lost in Round 2 (PIT) |
| 2016-17 | Washington Capitals | 118 | Lost in Round 2 (PIT) |
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | 117 | Lost in Round 2 (WPG) |
| 2018-19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 128 | Lost in Round 1 (CBJ) |
| 2019-20 | Boston Bruins | 100 | Lost in Round 2 (TBL) |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | Lost in Round 2 (VGK) |
| 2021-22 | Florida Panthers | 122 | Lost in Round 2 (TBL) |
| 2022-23 | Boston Bruins | 135 | Lost in Round 1 (FLA) |
| 2023-24 | New York Rangers | 114 | Lost in ECF (FLA) |
| 2024-25 | Winnipeg Jets | TBD | TBD |
Only four teams made it out of the second round — the 2024 Rangers (ECF loss), the 2015 Rangers (ECF loss), the 2013 Blackhawks (Stanley Cup champions), and the 2011 Canucks (SCF loss). Meanwhile, a staggering eight of those Presidents’ Trophy teams were upset in the first round, including the 2010 Capitals, who fell to the Montreal Canadiens. The 2016 and 2017 President Trophy-winning Capitals lost in consecutive years to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round.
So let’s just consider this a good thing and high-five our nearest Capitals fan-loving friend or family member.
