An annual award to the club finishing the regular-season with the best overall record. History: Presented to the National Hockey League in 1985-86 by the NHL Board of Governors to recognize the team compiling the top regular-season record. The Washington Capitals captured the Presidents’ Trophy for the second time in franchise history in 2015-16, leading the NHL with 120 points on a record of 56-18-8. The Capitals, who won the award previously in 2009-10, broke the franchise records for wins in one season and were just one point shy of the club mark of 121 points set in their previous Presidents’ Trophy season. Washington also set a franchise record for road wins (27) while reaching the 100-point mark for the second consecutive season and the ninth time in team history. The Capitals placed second in the NHL in team offense (3.02 goals per game) and in team defense (2.33). The Dallas Stars won their first division title since 2005-06, finishing atop the Central Division and the Western Conference with a record of 50-23-9 for 109 points. The St. Louis Blues were a close second behind Dallas in the Central Division with a record of 49-24-9 for 107 points.
The trophy was introduced at the start of the 1985Ð86 NHL season by the leagues Board of Governors. Prior to this, the best team in the league during the regular season was allowed to hang a banner stating "NHL League Champions"