The NHL Draft Lottery is live tonight. The league is making a big deal of holding the drawing itself live — rather than just the reveal to various GMs after the complex lottery ball process is complete. It will be televised at 7 p.m. EDT, with the Islanders having a 3.5% chance at the #1 pick.
Help us, insider John Collins!
Meanwhile, it was an epic weekend of Game 7 collapses to finish out the first round of the playoffs. What could be better than Saturday, when the Avalanche blew a 2-0 third-period lead while allowing castaway star Mikko Rantanen to cap the Stars’ comeback with an empty netter for the hat trick?
How about a double overtime that followed the Jets scoring twice with the goalie pulled in the final two minutes to tie the Blues, then win before whiteout-clad GO-JETS-GO fans in Winnipeg?
As disappointing as most of the Eastern Conference first round series were, these two Western Conference rounds delivered the goods.
Now the Jets and Stars — one of them worse for wear with injuries — face each other in the second round. But they get a couple of days off to make the transition, at least. No crap like when the Islanders finish a long series and then have to turnaround to face some rested team in 36 hours.
After the lottery, the second round begins tonight with a rematch of the Panthers and Leafs. That series should be great, and of course will be filled with all the narratives.
Islanders News
- Andrew Gross: Collins is well suited to find the Isles’ next GM. And fast (please?). [Newsday]
- With the Avalanche out, Brock Nelson’s season is done, his future up in the air. Here’s how he did after the trade. [THN]
Elsewhere
- The Jets missed Mark Scheifele for the final two games, and top D Josh Morrissey left Game 7. Meanwhile, the Stars are getting healthier, with Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskenen each expected to return in Round 2. [NHL]
- The Panthers will be worried about the Leafs’ power play. [NHL]
- The Oilers enter round two vs. Vegas a “transformed” team. [Sportsnet]
- Matthew Schaefer will maybe go to the team that wins the lottery tonight? He’s the favorite, though not consensus. [NHL]
- The Schenn brothers were on opposite sides of the handshake line. [NHL]
- Nathan MacKinnon will head to the worlds…probably couldn’t pass up a chance to play with Bo Horvat and Noah Dobson. [Sportsnet]
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