With the Montreal Canadiens rapidly falling down the standings climbing up the lottery board, many are probably interested in just how close they can get to the top-odds position by the end of the season.
At the suggestion of EOTP commenter Seymoorebutts (if that is his/her real name), we have created this outlet to cheer on* those teams who threaten Montreal’s chances at the first-overall pick in June’s NHL Entry Draft.
* Warning! This activity will mean hoping for a win from a team that has probably lost the majority of its games to this point of the season. Participate at your own risk!
The project will focus on any team currently sitting more than one spot outside of a playoff position. Here are tonight’s games featuring the teams meeting that criterion:
7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
Buffalo Sabres
Visitors: Boston Bruins
Record: 21-26-4
Position: 14th in Eastern Conference; 27th in the league standings
How to watch: Sportnets East, Ontario, Pacific; TVA Sports (French)
7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST
Toronto Maple Leafs
Visitors: New Jersey Devils
Record: 18-22-9
Position: 15th in East; 28th in league
How to watch: Sportsnet Ontario (Leafs region)
Edmonton Oilers @ Ottawa Senators
Records: EDM: 20-26-5 / OTT: 23-22-6
Positions: EDM: 14th in Western Conference; 29th in league / OTT: 12th in East; 22nd in league
How to watch: Sportsnet West (Oilers region); RDS & TSN5 (Senators region)
8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST
Philadelphia Flyers
Host: Nashville Predators
Record: 22-18-8
Position: 11th in East; 21st in league
How to watch: Rogers GameCentre Live, NHL.tv
9:00 PM EST / 6:00 PM PST
Arizona Coyotes
Visitors: Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 24-21-5
Position: 10th in West; 20th in league
How to watch: Rogers GameCentre Live, NHL.tv
10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vancouver Canucks
Records: CBJ: 19-28-5 / VAN: 20-19-11
Positions: CBJ: 16th in East; 30th in league / VAN: 11th in West; 24th in league
How to watch: Sportnet Pacific (Canucks region)
Expand/collapse any game’s comment thread as desired.
