All Things Presidential
By ThomWith Southeast Division officially wrapped up, the Capitals are track for their best season ever. For some fans this is as expected and a great achievement, but there is one achievement that many of us may not have considered. With the bulk of the season behind us and a team that simply refuses to throw in the towel, one possible distinction has been lurking in the back of my mind... The President's Trophy.Yes, I said it and it likely prompted you to fall from your feet screaming "jiiiiiinx," but it is a real possibility and one many fans may clamor to see. I can imagine fans having the opportunity to chant for the President's Trophy and MVP in the final days of the regular season. I can even imagine myself in a sea of red at the final regular season game chanting with a fervor... or can I?Ultimately, the Stanley Cup is a team's goal, but why wouldn't anyone cheer for an honor such as the President's Trophy? It is awarded to the team with the most regular season points and has been around for just over two decades. It is one of the leagues highest distinctions and has been claimed 23 times by 13 different teams. One might venture to guess that it should be a sure path to Lord Stanley's Cup, but the statistics present a whole different story.Might I say, the Curse of the President's Trophy? Much like the Sports Illustrated Jinx or the Madden Curse from the cover of the EA Sports video games, this trophy presents it's own conundrum. Take for instance the modern Detroit Red Wings. Six time owners of the trophy in the last fifteen seasons and just two Stanley Cups during that run. Not bad, but not six. Of the twenty-three winners since the trophy was created in 1985, only seven of those trophy winners won the Stanley Cup, with only two others moving to the finals. The rest of the teams were doomed to a summer on the links.It's possible that the trophy winners spend too much effort in the regular season or the pressure of playoff expectations weight too much on them. It really could be any number of variables, but superstitions aside, I suspect that Capitals' fans would be first in line to see it handed to the Caps after one of the most exciting and accomplished seasons to date. Ok, preferably with a drink from the cup too. Do you believe in curses?Oh, and lest I forget, the trophy comes with home ice advantage for the entire playoffs. Do you care about curses?On Another presidential Note: As our catch phrase states on The Capital Power Play, "the best power play in town is on ice, so join us in supporting the RussianMachineNeverBreaks.com and sign the petition to get our Nations President to come to a Caps game.
