Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets have sights set on much larger prize

Dylan DeMelo wants to bring Canadian hockey fans more than a Presidents' Trophy.

The Winnipeg Jets clinched the franchise's first Presidents' Trophy Sunday for most points in the NHL regular season even though they lost 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers.

The achievement gives the Jets home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The last Canadian team to win the Presidents' Trophy was the Vancouver Canucks in 2011-12, who also won it the previous season.

DeMelo, who hails from London, Ont., was asked if he felt more pride in ending that drought.

"No, not really, to be honest," he said. "I think we want to be the first Canadian team since '93 to win the cup. That's what we're here for."

The Montreal Canadiens are the last club to claim the cup in 1992-93.

"To be able to have that ability to have home ice throughout the whole playoffs, and hopefully we can go on a long run and use that to our advantage," DeMelo said. "It's not the trophy we are after, but it's a nice accomplishment."

The Jets captured the trophy after Washington lost 4-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier in the night, leaving them unable to catch Winnipeg in the standings.

The Capitals (50-21-9) have 109 points and two games left to play. Winnipeg is at 114 points (55-21-4) and has one match left Wednesday at home against the Anaheim Ducks.

When the trophy news was announced, 15,225 fans at Canada Life Centre gave the team a standing ovation. It was Winnipeg's seventh consecutive full house and 15th of the season.

"It is definitely a great accomplishment," Jets forward Nino Niederreiter said following the game. "After 81 games, being able to get the Presidents' Trophy is a big accomplishment, but it is only the first step as now it is the playoffs