The Atlantic Division champion Florida Panthers earned the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history after posting a league-best 58-18-6 record, guaranteeing themselves home ice advantage throughout the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Their first round opponent will be the Washington Capitals, who finished in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 44-26-12 record.
The Panthers took the regular season series against the Capitals, two games to one. Florida won 5-4 in overtime on November 4 at FLA Live Arena. The Capitals skated to a 4-3 home ice victory on November 26.