NHL Playoff Picture 2017: Analyzing Postseason Races, Standings and Bracket

Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals are the NHL's best regular-season team. Ross D. Franklin/Associated PressWinners and still champions—at least in the regular season.

The Washington Capitals have done it again. They defeated the New York Rangers 2-0 Wednesday night, and that victory allowed them to clinch the Metropolitan Division and the Presidents' Trophy. That honor goes to the team with the best regular-season record, and the Capitals will consequently have home-ice advantage in the postseason for as long as they remain alive.

The Caps did the same thing in 2015-16, but it did not lead to a long run in the postseason that would include a Stanley Cup. Instead, the Caps had problems in a…