With the New York Islanders not qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, all eyes are on where they could potentially pick in this upcoming draft.
After being eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Islanders, in theory, could finish with the sixth-best odds to land the first pick if they lost their remaining three games and got some help from around the NHL.
However, the Islanders did win a hockey game on Sunday, defeating the New Jersey Devils 1-0 to hurt those odds.
But Monday's results increased their odds yet again.
The New York Rangers, who had been trailing the Islanders in the standings, leapfrogged them on Monday night after a 5-3 win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Also, the Montreal Canadiens, who were trying to lock up a playoff spot, fell 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks in a shootout.
The Detroit Red Wings also jumped the Islanders with a 6-4 win over the Dallas Stars.
That means the Islanders enter Tuesday's game against the Washington Capitals with the 10th-best odds, moving up two spots since Sunday.
If the Islanders lose and the Columbus Blue Jackets win, the Islanders would finish no worse than with the 12th-best odds at the No. 1 pick.
The Islanders conclude their season on Thursday night against Columbus, a game that could mean a lot for draft-lottery purposes.
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