After having a few days off, the Buffalo Sabres hit the ice again tonight, with their lead on the 30th spot in the National Hockey League secured by four points between them and the Edmonton Oilers, and six points lower than the Arizona Coyotes.
Heading into Saturday’s action on the ice, here are what your draft lottery standings look like:
Despite having increased their lead on the teams just in front of them, the Buffalo Sabres now have a game in hand on the Coyotes and two games more on their schedule than the Edmonton Oilers.
In our weekend version of the NHL Lottery Simulator – we once again test the 20% odds that the Buffalo Sabres will retain the first overall draft pick in this years NHL Entry Draft, or if they will end up with the second overall draft pick, thanks to the NHL Draft Lottery.
Well, if you were looking for good news to start your weekend, your only going to get that if you are higher on Jack Eichel than Connor McDavid. The Carolina Hurricanes win the draft lottery if it were held today, and decided by a simple internet algorithm.
There are twelve games on the schedule tonight, a very busy Saturday night for the National Hockey League. * denotes an impact on the draft lottery.
Buffalo Sabres Face New York Rangers On Busy Saturday Night
Detroit Red Wings @ Philadelphia Flyers*
The Flyers are holding onto their playoff hopes for dear life, as the Detroit Red Wings are preparing for the playoffs.
Boston Bruins @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Good teams figure out a way to flip that switch this time of the year and start playing playoff hockey. Are the Boston Bruins turning it on at the right time of the year?
Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks*
The San Jose Sharks are playing for their playoff futures, as they might be the “odd” team out in California when the NHL starts it’s post-season slate of games.
New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres*
The Buffalo Sabres don’t need anymore points in the standings, unless the Oilers and Coyotes continue to put up wins or loser points. It is ever so painful to root against your team – especially this time of the year, but they have come so close to the end of the trail of tears, or seasons of suffering to blow it at the end would be so Buffalo wouldn’t it?
Winnipeg Jets @ Tampa Bay Lightning*
Winnipeg is trying to hold on to its playoff hopes while the Lightning continue to sit atop the standings.
Montreal Canadiens @ New York Islanders
A battle of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, if you have the ability to watch this game, it could be a good one. Rooting for the Islanders here, if a team is going to do well and it isn’t the Buffalo Sabres, a)have to root against Canada and b) root for a team in the state of New York and c) it would be cool to see the oldest arena in the league get one more Cup before making the move.
Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes*
Can the Panthers hold on and get into the playoffs – every loss creeps them closer to no.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Vancouver Canucks*
The Leafs are out of it, and choking back the vomit here for saying this, but rooting for them here, as it would be nice to see Ryan Miller not make the playoffs.
Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues*
Minnesota in a fight for their playoff hopes. The wild card fight in the Western Conference is going to come down to the final days of the regular season.
New Jersey Devils @ Arizona Coyotes*
Totally rooting for the Coyotes here. Nothing more needs to be said right?
Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche*
Calgary has been the surprise dark horse all season, but might they just fall short in their bid for the post season with some key losses on their roster?
Nashville Predators @ Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles has seemed to turn it on late in the game (see the Bruins note above, good teams can do that). Is Nashville going to be a flash in the pan or are they contenders as well?
Next: 7 Questions To Ponder For Buffalo Sabres
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