Thursday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers Offseason Open Forum

The Buffalo Sabres will pick first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft after winning the league’s Draft Lottery on Wednesday night. The expansion Seattle Kraken won the drawing for the second pick, jumping the Anaheim Ducks, who will select third overall.

The Sabres, who at 16.6 percent had the best chance of winning the lottery, will pick first for the fourth time in franchise history, and the first time since selecting defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in 2018. University of Michigan defenseman Owen Power is ranked this year’s top prospect by many.

The first round of the draft will be held virtually on July 23, with rounds 2-7 set for July 24.

2021 NHL Draft order

1. Buffalo Sabres

2. Seattle Kraken

3. Anaheim Ducks

4. New Jersey Devils

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

6. Detroit Red Wings

7. San Jose Sharks

8. Los Angeles Kings

9. Vancouver Canucks

10. Ottawa Senators

11. Chicago Blackhawks

12. Calgary Flames

13. Philadelphia Flyers

14. Dallas Stars

15. New York Rangers

Picks 16-31 will be determined by the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Arizona Coyotes have forfeited their first-round pick.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Montreal Canadiens scored three times in the first period, including twice in the opening 5:10, before hanging on for a 5-3 win against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Second Round at Bell MTS Place. Eric Staal had a goal and an assist, and Carey Price made 27 saves for the upstart Canadiens.

More at Eyes On The Prize and Arctic Ice Hockey

Mikko Rantanen scored a power-play goal at 2:07 of overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche extended their series lead to two games to none with a 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 at Ball Arena. Colorado was awarded a power play 44 seconds into overtime after former Florida Panthers forward Reilly Smith was called for slashing Rantanen’s stick out of his hands. Smith scored in the second period to tie the game at two apiece.

More at Mile High Hockey and Knights On Ice

Tonight’s games

Game 3: Boston Bruins at New York Islanders 7:30 p.m. NBCSN (Series tied 1-1)

Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning 8 p.m. USA (Lightning lead series 2-0)

IIHF World Championship (Quarterfinals)

Final: United States 6, Slovakia 1

Final: Germany 3, Switzerland 2

A1 Russia (Sergei Bobrovsky) vs Canada B4 1:15 p.m.

B2 Finland (Anton Lundell) vs A3 Czech Republic 1:15 p.m.