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How Flames can make NHL Draft history with result vs. Kings tonight
TL;DR
The Calgary Flames can secure the third-best odds in the NHL Draft lottery by earning zero or one point against the Los Angeles Kings tonight. This would mark a historic opportunity for the Flames, who have never picked in the top three of the NHL Draft.
Key points
- Calgary Flames can secure third-best odds in NHL Draft lottery
- Need zero or one point against Los Angeles Kings
- Flames have never picked in the top three of the NHL Draft
Calgary FlamesLos Angeles Kings
How Flames can make NHL Draft history with result vs. Kings tonight originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Calgary Flames have not had the season they wanted.
But on Thursday night, they can secure something quite valuable for themselves as far as the NHL Draft lottery goes.
If the Flames get either zero or one point on Thursday, they'll lock in the third-best odds for the lottery. They take on the Los Angeles Kings and simply have to avoid a win to secure those odds.
Calgary has never picked in the top-three of the NHL Draft, and while the odds don't guarantee it, they give the Flames the best chance available to them.
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The odds for each of the first-five selections if the Flames keep the 3-spot in the lottery odds are:
- 1st: 11.5%
- 2nd: 11.2%
- 3rd: 7.8%
- 4th: 39.7%
- 5th: 29.8%
The Flames can't drop out of the top-five from the 3-spot.
If they won in regulation on Thursday, they'd give the third-best odds to the New York Rangers.
If the Flames are the fourth-best lottery odds, they have these chances:
- 1st: 9.5%
- 2nd: 9.5%
- 3rd: 0.3%
- 4th: 15.4%
- 5th: 44.6%
- 6th: 20.8%
There is no way for the Flames to end up anywhere other than the third- or fourth-best lottery odds after Thursday.
Q&A
What do the Flames need to do to secure the third-best odds in the NHL Draft lottery?
The Flames need to earn either zero or one point in their game against the Kings.
Has Calgary ever picked in the top three of the NHL Draft?
No, the Calgary Flames have never picked in the top three of the NHL Draft.
What are the implications of securing the third-best odds for the Flames?
Securing the third-best odds gives the Flames the best chance to improve their draft position, although it does not guarantee a top-three pick.
