The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets will be seeing a lot of each other over the final two weeks of the season in their competition to avoid the Central Division cellar.
Three of the Red Wings’ remaining six games are at Columbus, including tonight’s contest at Nationwide Arena (7 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit Plus).
The Red Wings (17-25-8) are two points ahead of the Blue Jackets (15-25-10). Detroit, with 42 points, eclipsed last season’s point total in 22 fewer games. The club needs one more victory to pass its 2019-20 wins total (17).
The Red Wings were officially eliminated from the playoffs on Monday when Nashville defeated Florida.
Columbus has lost nine in a row (0-7-2) and 16 of its past 18 (2-14-2).
Detroit’s remaining games will significantly impact its draft lottery odds.
The Red Wings currently rank 25th overall in points percentage (.420). If that is where they finish, they will have a 6.5 percent chance of winning the draft lottery for the No. 1 pick and a 13.3 percent chance of finishing in the top two, according to Tankathon.com.
A change in this year’s format will result in only two draws instead of three, so only two teams can move up. The expansion Seattle Kraken are assured of the No 3 overall pick.
The Red Wings, realistically can drop no more than two spots in the overall standings, which would give them an 8.5 percent chance at the top selection and a 17.2 percent chance of moving into the top two.
But the Red Wings also could move up several spots, lowering their odds of winning the lottery or winding up with a top-two pick.
Joe Veleno, the 30th overall pick in 2018, might make his NHL debut tonight, if cleared this afternoon from concussion protocol. Veleno practiced Monday, centering a line with Sam Gagner and Richard Panik. If Veleno doesn’t play tonight, his first game might be on Thursday in Carolina.
More: Red Wings eager to see Joe Veleno as season winds down
The Link LonkApril 27, 2021 at 11:11PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/04/red-wings-blue-jackets-matchups-have-draft-lottery-implications.html
Red Wings-Blue Jackets matchups have draft lottery implications - MLive.com
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