Panthers claim 1st Presidents' Trophy in franchise history
The Florida Panthers secured the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top regular-season team on Thursday night thanks to a win over the Ottawa Senators and the Colorado Avalanche's loss to the Nashville Predators.
Florida has 122 points with one game remaining. The Panthers' mark is the most in franchise history and the third-highest total for any NHL team since the award was introduced in 1986. The 1996 Detroit Red Wings hold the record at 131.
The Panthers will have home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begin May 2. Florida hasn't advanced past the first round since it reached the final in 1996.
This postseason, the Panthers are set to play either the Washington Capitals or Pittsburgh Penguins. The Metropolitan Division rivals are separated by one point heading into the final game on their respective schedules.
Florida's dominant campaign has come on the strength of a near-unstoppable offense. The club recently set a salary-cap era benchmark with 322 goals and currently sits at 338 and counting with a plus-102 goal differential.
Winger Jonathan Huberdeau has led the charge up front with 115 points in an MVP-caliber season, and he's one of four 30-goal scorers on the Panthers' roster.
Florida caps its record-setting regular season Friday against the Montreal Canadiens.