Preds-idents Day: Nashville Locks Up NHL's Best Record

NASHVILLE, TN -- One year after hanging the first team banner from the rafters of Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators will get to hang at least three more.

With a nervy 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals - and long-time former coach Barry Trotz - in the nation's capital Thursday, coupled with Florida's 3-2 win over Boston just two days after the Panthers' Kiefer Sutherland-angering-win over Nashville, the Predators clinched the NHL's Presidents' Trophy for the best regular season record, along with the team's first regular season Western Conference and Central Division titles.

Even more importantly, Nashville will have home-ice advantage throughout the NHL playoffs, with Game One in Nashville either April 11 or 12.

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Part of hockey lore is the so-called curse of the Presidents' Trophy. Since it was first awarded after the 1985-86 season, "only" eight winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. While that seems paltry, it is in fact a much better percentage than any of the other 15 playoff spots.

Nashville wraps up the regular season Saturday at home against Columbus. The team will learn its playoff opponent thereafter.