Re: NHL 2015-16: John Scott for MVP!
Were you around for 2013?
Oh, he was around.
To me, 2013 is the exception that proves the general rule. Half that season was lost to the lockout. I wouldn't necessarily say that every second of the 2013 run was flat out sprint, but it certainly was starkly different than the usual marathon. Having one team go wire-to-wire like the Hawks did in 2013 is highly unusual. I doubt that Coach Q would have approached the season the same way had the normal slate of 82 games had been in store. If you can think of another wire-to-wire example that's halfway recent, do share.
1 of 4 SC winners also won the PT? I'm willing to believe you researched this number and are correct. I'll admit, I am surprised that winning both trophies is as common as 25%. But while that changes my opinion a little, it doesn't change it much. It's still extremely difficult to win both trophies. There's still a risk of peaking too early, of emptying the gas tank during the regular season. Obviously you want to win every time you take the ice. Obviously the President's Trophy is something to be proud of if you bag it. But in the end, there really is only One Goal.
Last, though probably least important, you lifted my comment out of context. The original question was whether the Washington Capitals had a good shot at reaching this year's SC Finals. If want to take the "yes" side of that debate, I'm sure bronconick will be glad to engage you.

For my part, I was speaking pretty casually. I'm not all that worried about who represents the East when the Finals arrive. PT? Fine. No PT? Fine. The particular opponent may have an impact on the type of series that occurs. But anyone who qualifies is going to be good.