Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets celebrate their victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

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President Trophy Race: Who Will Claim the NHL’s Top Regular Season Honor?

Race for the Presidents' Trophy heats up, top NHL teams battle for the league’s best record and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets celebrate their victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

The Presidents’ Trophy race is reaching its climax as the NHL regular season nears its end, with just a handful of games left to decide which team finishes on top. Since its introduction in the 1985-86 season, the award has been handed out 37 times to 18 different teams, but winning it doesn’t always guarantee playoff success. Only two teams, the 2007-08 Detroit Red Wings and the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks, have won both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season. Adding to that unpredictability, two of the last six winners didn’t even make it past the first round of the playoffs.

This year, the race has come down to two strong contenders: the Winnipeg Jets and the Washington Capitals. Winnipeg currently leads the league with 106 points (51-19-4), while Washington isn’t far behind with 103 points (47-17-9). With just a few games remaining, every point matters, and both teams know that finishing at the top comes with pride and the pressure of history.

NHL playoff watch: Will the Capitals or Jets win the Presidents' Trophy? https://t.co/t5PO2AIEyQ pic.twitter.com/dAUWWr33eU
— ESPN Chicago (@ESPN1000) April 1, 2025

On paper, the Jets face a tougher road ahead. Their remaining opponents have a combined win percentage of 51.3%, ranking as the 12th most difficult schedule in the league. Meanwhile, the Capitals have a slightly easier path, with their opponents’ win percentage sitting at 47.3%, the 28th toughest schedule. However, despite the challenges, statistical projections still favor Winnipeg to come out on top. Analysts predict the Jets will finish with around 115.9 points, narrowly edging out Washington, which is projected to end the season with 114.7 points.

While the numbers suggest Winnipeg has the upper hand, the reality is that anything can happen in these final games. A single loss could shift momentum, and with both teams battling for every possible point, the race for the Presidents’ Trophy is likely to go down to the wire. But as history has shown, winning this trophy is just the beginning. The real challenge starts when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, where the pressure, intensity, and unpredictability of the postseason can turn even the best regular-season team into an early exit.

For now, fans of both teams are in for an exciting finish as the Jets and Capitals fight for the top spot. Whether it translates into playoff glory remains to be seen.

Image Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

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Washington Capitals.

Winnipeg Jets

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!