Breaking Down the Presidents' Trophy Race in the 2014-15 NHL Season

The 2014-15 NHL season has been an enthralling one, and a number of teams have gone on some impressive runs recently. There are only a few weeks left in the season, and it is a great time to break down the Presidents' Trophy race.

The NHL awards home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs to the team that finishes with the best overall record. It may seem like an amazing achievement, but only eight teams have won both the Stanley Cup and the Presidents' Trophy since it was introduced during the 1985-86 season.

Here's a breakdown of the teams that have the best chances of winning the Presidents' Trophy. Criteria for this list will include recent play, remaining games, points percentage and strength of schedule.

Seventh Place: New York Islanders

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Record: 43-23-4, 90 Points

Games Remaining: 12

Last 10 GP: 4-4-2

The New York Islanders are tied for the most games played among Presidents’ Trophy candidates, and for that reason they are at a disadvantage going forward. New York is also in the midst of a skid in which it has won only four of its last 10 games played.

In addition to that, the Isles also have a tough schedule ahead of them—the 14th toughest in the NHL, according to PlayoffStatus.com—and it includes games against the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings.

The Islanders could be contenders for the Presidents' Trophy if things break their way, but it is unlikely that they will finish with the top record in the NHL. 

Sixth Place: Tampa Bay Lightning

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Record: 42-20-7, 91 Points

Games Remaining: 13

Last 10 GP: 7-2-1

The Tampa Bay Lightning have one of the easier schedules among playoff contenders, according to PlayoffStatus.com, but injuries have really slammed the Bolts lately.

It will be hard to replace Ondrej Palat, Braydon Coburn and Cedric Paquette for the next few weeks, and Tampa Bay will also have to deal with some tough matchups. The Lightning have two games remaining against both the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens—and a contest with the Nashville Predators.

Tampa Bay has a chance to win the Presidents' Trophy, but it isn't one of the greatest in the NHL. 

Fifth Place: Montreal Canadiens

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Record: 42-19-7, 91 Points

Games Remaining: 14

Last 10 GP: 5-3-2

The Canadiens are where they are mostly because of Carey Price, but they are going to need other players to step up their games down the stretch. Price has played out of his mind, and his numbers will likely earn him a Vezina Trophy—and potentially a Hart Trophy.

The Habs' remaining schedule is the 11th toughest, according to PlayoffStatus.com. It features easy matchups against the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes, but the team will be tested against the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators.

Montreal will need to play flawless hockey down the stretch to win the Presidents’ Trophy, and it will need a lot of luck to overtake the teams that are currently ahead of it.

Fourth Place: Pittsburgh Penguins

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Record: 39-18-10, 88 Points

Games Remaining: 15

Last 10 GP: 7-2-1

The Penguins have a very good chance of winning the Presidents’ Trophy, partially because of their points percentage. The Pens have 39 wins in 67 games, and they could easily close the gap if they capitalize on their games in hand.

The Penguins' remaining schedule is the league's easiest, according to PlayoffStatus.com, and it features favorable matchups against the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks.

It is possible that they can be Presidents’ Trophy finalists—because the Penguins should earn wins on nights when other contenders stumble. Pittsburgh will need the Rangers and Islanders to falter if it wants to win the President's Trophy, but at the very least it should be among the leaders for the top spot.

Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 over its last 10 games, and the Penguins are getting hot at the right time.

Third Place: Anaheim Ducks

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Record: 43-20-7, 93 Points

Games Remaining: 12

Last 10 GP: 6-4-0

Anaheim is the league leader in points, but it is tied for the most games played among top contenders.

The Ducks could be overtaken by teams with higher points percentages because of the disparity in games played. Anaheim has a decent schedule ahead of it—the 25th toughest, according to PlayoffStatus.com.

Early on, the Ducks will be tested in games against the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings, but things get easier down the stretch. If they can take care of business, the Ducks could finish with the best record and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

However, a blip against the Rangers or Predators could set them back in the race for the Presidents' Trophy.

Second Place: St. Louis Blues

Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images

Record: 43-19-5, 91 Points

Games Remaining: 15

Last 10 GP: 6-3-1

The St. Louis Blues are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and they have been one of the league’s most consistent throughout the season. The Blues are among the league leaders in total goals scored, and they are among the leaders in fewest goals allowed.

Of the contenders, St. Louis is one of the strongest, but it has a tough road ahead. The Blues' remaining schedule features games against the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, and those are games in which the team will have to work hard to earn two points.

According to PlayoffStatus.com, the Blues have the seventh-toughest remaining schedule, but they are a team that should be able to overcome this adversity.

First Place: New York Rangers

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Record: 42-17-7, 91 Points

Games Remaining: 16

Last 10 GP: 8-1-1

The New York Rangers have the best chance of winning the Presidents' Trophy. They are the hottest team in the NHL, have played the fewest games among contenders and have the highest points percentage in the NHL.

It is hard to see the Blueshirts slowing down.

They have an astounding 31 wins over their last 41 games played—one of the most impressive statistics from the 2014-15 season. This stat becomes even more impressive when you realize that Henrik Lundqvist hasn't played since early February.

The Blueshirts have allowed the third-fewest goals this season. They have also scored 203 goals—the fifth most in the league.

In addition to their all-around play, the Blueshirts have favorable matchups against the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators.

According to PlayoffStatus.com, the Rangers have the 21st-toughest remaining schedule, and that will be a major benefit down the stretch.

Due to the Rangers’ incredibly hot play, their ability to play a complete game and their easy remaining schedule, the Blueshirts have the greatest chance of capturing the Presidents' Trophy this season.

Strength of schedule via PlayoffStatus.com. Individual schedules via NHL.com.

If you would like to see point projections, check out this chart, via Micah Blake McCurdy, @IneffectiveMath, on Twitter.