Banner night for Predators

WASHINGTON - Nashville Predators players stood around the locker room after beating the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Thursday, huddled around cell phones watching and rooting for more franchise history.

Seconds after the Boston Bruins lost to the Florida Panthers in regulation, Mattias Ekholm yelled out, "Yeah boys!" as teammates high-fived to celebrate the first Presidents' Trophy in the team's 19-year history.

A year after the Predators made an improbable run to the Stanley Cup final as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, they've clinched home ice throughout the playoffs as the top team in the NHL during the regular season.