The funny thing about this article two years later is that the Washington Capitals infamously lost in the FIRST ROUND of the playoffs.

The supposed ultimate advantage of the President's Cup -- home ice in the Stanley Cup Finals over the top-seeded team from the other conference -- is entirely illusory. As my favorite hockey bloggers at Passittobulis.com write:

"For what it’s worth, don’t lament the Presidents’ trophy if the Rangers win it. In the last 20 years, the number one seeds from the East and West have met in the Stanley Cup Final one time (2001). In short, if the Canucks win the Western Conference title and then make the Final, the likelihood of meeting the Rangers, the only team that would have home ice advantage over them, is quite slim."

Professional Hockey, like Basketball, rewards tenacity and ability to stay healthy.

Being the best in the regular season means taking unnecessary risks vs resting one's players so they're healthy for the playoffs.

Now that the Canucks have the 2012 Presidents' Trophy, is it fair to say they have no home ice advantage against anyone except the Sharks, who seem destined to lose to them year after year?

And of course the Canucks get bounced in 5. So did the Sharks, but we didn't win the President's Cup.