Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres Draft Lottery Odds: No Help From Arizona Coyotes

By Tim Redinger

facebooktwitterreddit

Don’t look now but the Buffalo Sabres didn’t get any help from Arizona last night.  Buffalo still needs the Coyotes to get two points, or they need to fail to get any points the remainder of the season to keep the best odds in the NHL Draft Lottery.  Having Arizona win on Thursday is the best case scenario for the Buffalo Sabres, because it sends them into the final two days of the season without a worry.

Ok, so the team isn’t worried.  The players on the ice could care less one way or the other about the draft picks (although they should, those that are staying have as much a vested interest in who the Buffalo Sabres pick as anyone).

The final days of the season should be really interesting.  On top of the NHL Draft Lottery standings which are updated for this morning and shows just below, there are other interesting races the Buffalo Sabres need to keep their eyes on.

[table id=3 /]

Before we get into the bottom of the playoff race – today’s draft lottery simulator.  Today’s victor – The Toronto Maple Leafs.  Yes I know, I wanted to gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon as well.  But wait, there is good news.  There are four Eastern Conference playoff spots that are not yet locked up.

The New York Islanders currently hold on of those positions.  The New York Islanders, despite being one of the hottest teams to start the seasons, have slowly let teams below them catch up, and to control their own destiny, they need to win out their remaining two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.  Now here is where where it gets interesting.

Pittsburgh is playing for their playoff lives as well.  With just games against the Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres, winning out puts them at 100 points, and would pull them into a tie with the Islanders, if the Islanders win their final game.  Either way, both teams could still make the playoffs.

Boston has three games remaining, and only trail the Detroit Red Wings by two points.  Boston could vault themselves into the Atlantic Division race.  They have games against the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.

The Detroit Red Wings playoff streak is on the line, and with games against the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, it looks as if they are safe, but need to pickup points in their remaining games to stay alive.

The Ottawa Senators, thanks to their run up to the end of the season, have entered into the picture.  They have two games remaining, one against the New York Rangers, and one against Philadelphia.

How does all of this affect the Buffalo Sabres?  If the New York Islanders fail to make the playoffs, that draft pick selection becomes a draft lottery pick (although with the least chance at being selected).  If the hockey gods smile upon the city of Buffalo, they could end up (in a long long shot) with the number one, and number two draft picks.  Dollar and a dream folks, dollar and a dream.

Out West things are not as wide open still.  There are only two playoff spots available.  and Los Angeles is the only team that can change the outcome of the playoff picture.

The Kings have two games remaining, and winning out only puts them at 97 points.  If Calgary wins one more game, and Winnipeg wins one more game, they are out.  The Kings face the Flames and the Sharks to close out the season.  Slim chances, especially since the Jets and Flames play each other to close out the season.

Winnipeg also has a game against the Colorado Avalanche.  Even if the Kings win out, they could miss the playoffs.

With only three games on the schedule tonight, only the Boston Bruins game has any major impact on the standings.

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Columbus Blue Jackets

Neither team can really improve their chances in the draft lottery, but winning could reduce their chances, as both could easily move up on teams in front of them.

Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals

See above on the Bruins, the Capitals are trying to keep the NY Islanders at bay for the second place spot in the Metro division.

Dallas Stars @ Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim could still catch the Rangers for the Presidents Trophy, but would take a lot of work, four points back and both teams have two games remaining.

Next: Could Sabres Retire Another Number Next Season

More from Sabre Noise

Home/Draft