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Lightning ‘damn proud’ to clinch Presidents’ Trophy

Tampa Bay only needed 56 wins to take home the trophy for the first time in franchise history.
 
The Lightning had a lot to celebrate Monday night, including Victor Hedman's go-ahead goal in the team's 4-1 over Arizona. The team also sealed its bid for the Presidents' Trophy and saw Steven Stamkos set the all-time record for goals scored. [DIRK SHADD   |   Times]
The Lightning had a lot to celebrate Monday night, including Victor Hedman's go-ahead goal in the team's 4-1 over Arizona. The team also sealed its bid for the Presidents' Trophy and saw Steven Stamkos set the all-time record for goals scored. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
Published March 19, 2019

TAMPA – The Lightning is on what coach Jon Cooper calls a “magical” season.

Individual and team records seem to be falling every other game. On Monday both fell on the same night.

In its 4-1 win over Arizona, Steven Stamkos broke the Lightning franchise record with his 384th career goal and Tampa Bay clinched its first Presidents’ Trophy, which annually goes to the to the team with the best regular-season record.

Of course, with the trophy comes a belief that the winner won’t capture the Stanley Cup. Since 2005, only two teams have finished with the most points in the regular season and gone on to win the Stanley Cup.

The NHL's Presidents' Trophy annually goes to the team with the best regular-season record. The Lightning clinched its first with a 4-1 victory over Arizona on Monday night. [Photo courtesy of NHL.com]

Cooper didn’t seem to buy the stigma.

“Trophies are hard to win,” Cooper said. “They truly are and when you win one you should be damn proud of it.”

Cooper went on to say one image dominates every June: Someone raising the Stanley Cup over his head.

“But there are 82 games played before you get to that point,” he said, “and I know there’s a lot of teams in this league that have not won that trophy.”

He didn’t take the achievement lightly either.

“I look at it as a great accomplishment and a reward to the players and the fans for an unbelievable regular season,” Cooper said.

Related: Up Next: at Capitals, 7:30 p.m., Capital One Arena | TV/Radio: NBCSN; AM-970

And while the team may celebrate a great regular-season record, it’s the postseason that matters most to the players.

“At the end of the day, a great regular season will be remembered somewhat, but we want to be remembered for what happens in the playoffs,” said Ryan McDonagh, who won the 2015 Presidents’ Trophy with the Rangers. “We've set ourselves up for a great opportunity here, and we've got to get through these last nine games.”

The night was full of magical moments as Stamkos broke the record, Victor Hedman notched the game-winning goal and both Anthony Cirelli and Yanni Gourde found the empty net on shorthanded goals to give the Lightning the 4-1 win.

Related: Photos: Lightning Steven Stamkos scores and sets record

“It was a good script,” Hedman said of the storybook evening. “We're proud to be the first team in Lightning history to win the Presidents’ Trophy, but it's just one trophy, aiming for another one obviously. It's great to have that accomplishment done.”

After clinching the No. 1 seed and home ice through the playoffs, Tampa Bay has a new number: 16 points.

Earning 16 out of the remaining 18 would give the Lightning the most points among Presidents’ Trophy winners. The 1995-96 Red Wings won with 131 points. That team’s 62 wins are still the NHL record, another mark the Lightning could break.

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Only four teams in history have won the Presidents’ Trophy with 120 points or more

And the Lightning just did it with 116 points … and counting.

Contact Mari Faiello at mfaiello@tampabay.com. Follow @faiello_mari.