Jets Win First Presidents’ Trophy in History, Plan to Win the Cup
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By Nemanja Petković
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Summary:
- The Winnipeg Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in history despite losing 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
- The Jets plan to be the first Canadian team since 1993 to win the Cup.
- Alex Iafallo scored Winnipeg’s only goal, while Eric Comrie made 35 saves.
Dylan DeMelo and the Winnipeg Jets don’t want to stop at the Presidents’ Trophy, as they have their mind set on something far bigger.
First Presidents’ Trophy for the Jets
On Sunday night, the Jets clinched the NHL’s top regular-season honor, earning the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history, despite falling 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers.
The Jets locked up the Trophy at the Canada Life Centre when Washington dropped a 4-1 decision to Columbus earlier in the evening, making it mathematically impossible for the Capitals to catch them.
Winnipeg now sits at 114 points with one game left, while Washington trails with 109 and two games to go.
Over 15,200 fans at Canada Life Centre erupted in applause when the announcement was made. It marked the team’s seventh straight sellout and 15th of the season.
Forward Nino Niederreiter reflected,
It is definitely a great accomplishment. After 81 games, being able to get the Presidents’ Trophy is a big accomplishment, but it is only the first step as now it is the NHL playoffs that matter most.
Winnipeg has already locked up the top spot in both the Western Conference and the Central Division, another first for the organization since its Atlanta Thrashers days.
Head coach Scott Arniel summed it up: “At the end of the day, it’s not the trophy we’re after”.
DeMelo: “It’s Not the Trophy We Are After”
The distinction secures the Jets home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, but for DeMelo, that’s just part of the journey.
“No, not really, to be honest”, the London, Ont., native said when asked if breaking the Canadian drought for the trophy added meaning.
I think we want to be the first Canadian team since ’93 to win the Cup. That’s what we’re here for.
It’s been over three decades since the Montreal Canadiens last hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1993. The Presidents’ Trophy, while meaningful, isn’t the ultimate goal for DeMelo or his teammates.
To be able to have that ability to have home ice throughout the whole playoffs, and hopefully we can go on a long run and use that to our advantage. It’s not the trophy we are after, but it’s a nice accomplishment.
Despite the celebration, the Jets were outplayed by the Oilers, who got goals from Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Corey Perry, and Viktor Arvidsson.
Alex Iafallo scored Winnipeg’s lone goal, while Eric Comrie made 35 saves in a solid performance.
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