The Buffalo Sabres just can’t seem to get any luck when it comes to the draft lottery simulations that I do. Not once have I gotten the Buffalo Sabres in the first overall draft selection. Not that the second overall pick is much worse for a team that is desperate for a McDavid or an Eichel.
There wasn’t a whole lot going on in the NHL last night, the only draft lottery implication on the light schedule was the New Jersey Devils picking up two points in the standings.
With little change in the standings, this almost seems like an effort in futility, but here are your standings and draft lottery odds:
A spin of the wheel, a drop of the number. A pick of the envelope. However the NHL deems to pick the first overall draft pick in the NHL Draft via the lottery, I do it by clicking a button at the NHL Draft Lottery Simulator. You can do it too. Today’s winner of the NHL Draft Lottery is the Edmonton Oilers, selecting first in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Here is the full schedule of games tonight and the way I will be rooting for the outcome.
Vancouver Canucks @ Boston Bruins
The Vancouver Canucks are a bubble team with Ryan Miller, and now have to enter the toughest part of the schedule without the their starting goaltender for several weeks. Tough break Vancouver, no pun intended. If you were thinking of seeing Miller in a sweater other than a Sabres jersey at First Niagara Center, your going to have to wait until next year.
Arizona Coyotes @ New York Islanders
The New York Islanders surprised everyone this year by not being involved in the draft lottery conversation, and are not one the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. Arizona hasn’t won a game in six tries, and the Islanders are a win away from claiming the top throne in the Eastern Conference.
Calgary Flames @ New York Rangers
Its musical chairs for the Calgary Flames as they bounce between divisional playoffs spot and wild card spot. Looks like this is a team set to break a five year playoff drought. The New York Rangers are surviving without Henrik Lundgvist and they might be better in the playoffs with the King well rested.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Flyers are still trying to make a case for the playoffs this year and have worked themselves to within four points of the wild card spot. Despite being ten points up on Buffalo, Carolina is the next worst team in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Buffalo Sabres are the only team in the league that don’t have at least forty points yet, but picking up a point in the standings could change that tonight. Both the Sabres and the Oilers have 17 wins, tied for the fewest in the league.
Montreal Canadiens @ St. Louis Blues
The Buffalo Sabres are looking at losing a draft pick from the Blues or the Islanders, and the Montreal Canadiens are looking at the top of the Eastern Conference. A possible Stanley Cup matchup.
Colorado Avalanche @ Nashville Predators
Colorado is only six points back of the wild card spot, so are in still in play in the Western Conference. The Predators only competition in the standings right now in either conference is the Anaheim Ducks.
Edmonton Oilers @ Minnesota Wild
A team on the verge of constant rebuild, and another trying to get into the playoffs. Go Edmonton!
Dallas Stars @ Winnipeg Jets
You want to see Tyler Myers do well, I liked the kid, but you want to see the Dallas Stars gain some points in the standings and get into the playoffs at this point. They have to get into the playoffs for a chance at the conditional pick to move into the second round.
Florida Panthers @ Chicago Blackhawks
Florida would love to get into the playoffs this year and have been riding the outside of the bubble all year long.
Detroit Red Wings @ Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have moved up into a divisional playoff position, and we could be looking at a Stanley Cup matchup here. Can they become the first team since the Detroit Red Wings to win back to back Stanley Cups?
Next: Trade Or Resign Neuvirth?
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