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Washington Capitals clinch William M. Jennings Trophy

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 5, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save in front of New York Rangers left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-0, and clinched the Metropolitan Division and the President's Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save in front of New York Rangers left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-0, and clinched the Metropolitan Division and the President's Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers, the Washington Capitals have clinched their second William M. Jennings Trophy in franchise history. 

The William M. Jennings Trophy is awarded each season to the goalies (minimum 25 games) of the team who allows the fewest goals in the NHL. For the second time in franchise history, the Washington Capitals will win it. Though the Caps lost 2-0 to the Florida Panthers in the last regular season game, their 182 goals allowed are the fewest in the league. In fact, they won the Jennings by 13 goals. The next closest team were the Columbus Blue Jackets with 195 goals.

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Braden Holtby will be the lone recipient, as Philip Grubauer came two appearances short of qualifying. Though it’s an individual award, it requires a team effort. This is something the Caps should be very proud of because it’s quite difficult to allow the fewest goals over a six month period. While most fans will see anything less than the Stanley Cup as a success, regular season success is hard to come by.

The Caps showed impressive commitment to defense this season and they get a nice reward for it. Holtby will get the award, but let’s not forget about the contributions from the blue line.

John Carlson, Matt Niskanen, Dmitry Orlov, Nate Schmidt, Brooks Orpik, Karl Alzner and trade deadline acquisition Kevin Shattenkirk form arguably the best defense in the NHL. Holtby will surely give them some kind of gift for helping him along the way. As much as this is an individual award, it should really be a team award because it requires a team to win it.

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The first time they won it was back in the 1983-84 season, when Pat Riggin and Al Jensen both won the award. They nearly won it last season, but narrowly lost it to the Anaheim Ducks.

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