The NHL held its draft lottery last night and the Penguins officially lost their first round pick to San Jose as part of the Erik Karlsson trade last August. The terms of the Karlsson trade allowed the Pens to keep the pick this year if it was a top ten selection, but the Penguins landed 14th, so San Jose gets that pick rather than the Penguins’ pick next year.
The conditions of the Jake Guentzel trade to Carolina might get the Penguins back into the first round. If the Hurricanes make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Penguins will get the ‘Canes’ first round choice. If they are eliminated before the Finals, the Penguins will end up with Carolina’s second round choice, which was originally a pick owned by the Flyers.
San Jose, Chicago, Anaheim, Columbus, and Montreal have the first five picks in this year’s draft.
The New York Rangers beat Carolina, 4-3, in double overtime last night to take a 2-0 lead in their second round series. Vincent Trocheck buried the game winner against his former team to seal the victory.
Out West, the Avalanche are up 1-0 in their Round Two series after taking down the Stars, 4-3, in OT from Dallas. Miles Wood scored the game-winner after Colorado fought back from a 3-0 deficit.
Tonight, the Bruins look for a 2-0 advantage in their East second round series against the Panthers in Sunrise, Florida while the Canucks and Oilers open their series in Vancouver.
