The NHL’s Presidents Trophy is awarded each year to the team with the most points (or best record) in the regular season. The Presidents Trophy Winner is awarded home ice throughout the entirety of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and is acknowledged as the best team in the league. At least that’s how it’s supposed to go. Over the last decade, the Presidents Trophy winner seems to be on the wrong side of a shocking playoff upset every single year.
To fully conclude whether or not the Presidents Trophy truly has evil cursed powers similar to that of the NFL’s Madden Curse, let’s take a look at the last eleven teams “honored” with the award.
* indicates Stanley Cup Final berth
2009 San Jose Sharks ………. eliminated in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks
2010 Washington Capitals ………. eliminated in the first round by the Montreal Canadiens
*2011 Vancouver Canucks ……….. reach the Stanley Cup Final only to be eliminated
2012 Vancouver Canucks ……….. eliminated in the first round by the Los Angeles Kings
*2013 Chicago Blackhawks ……… Stanley Cup Champions
2014 Boston Bruins ……….. eliminated in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens
2015 New York Rangers ……….. eliminated in the Eastern Conference Final by the Tampa Bay Lightning
2016 Washington Capitals ………. eliminated in the second round by the Pittsburgh Penguins
2017 Washington Capitals ………. eliminated in the second round by the Pittsburgh Penguins
2018 Nashville Predators ……….. eliminated in the second round by the Winnipeg Jets
2019 Tampa Bay Lightning …….. swept in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets
In the last 11 seasons, only two teams to win the award have even managed to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
