NHL Draft Lottery Day Is Here! (And Other Blackhawks Bullets)
Ordinarily over the past few weeks I’ve opened our bullets with a little playoff discussion. But today is a different day. May 8 could shape up to be one of the most significant days in the history of the Blackhawks — or whichever organization wins the No. 1 overall pick (read: Connor Bedard) in the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery. The lottery will be held tonight. I’m excited and anxious at the same time. With some really good names at the top of the draft, the Blackhawks sitting in the top five is a good thing. But picking first would be a game-changer.
- The Florida Panthers went home with a two-game lead on the Toronto Maple Leafs. And the box score feels awfully familiar for Blackhawks fans. Toronto’s first goal: Sam Lafferty (from David Kampf). Florida’s first goal: Anthony Duclair. Toronto’s second goal: Erik Gustafsson (with the second assist going to Jake McCabe). Lots of former Chicago guys in the mix, but Florida was able to score the final goal in overtime and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
- As a reminder: the Blackhawks’ first-round pick from Tampa moves up to No. 19 overall if the Panthers can win this series. So let’s go Panthers!
- The New Jersey Devils were down 2-0 in their series against Carolina, but were back on home ice on Sunday. Luke Hughes joined his older brother, Jack, in the lineup for the home squad, making his NHL debut in a huge playoff game. So how did he do? How about two assists and a postgame conversation next to his brother on the bench? At least his grill is still in one piece!
- After the Devils opened the day with an eight-goal performance against Carolina, the Kraken closed the books last night with a seven-spot on the Stars. Philipp Grubauer was big again and Seattle now has a 2-1 lead on Dallas in their best-of-seven series.
- Here’s the schedule for tonight. Just one game, following the draft lottery on ESPN. Can Edmonton grab a 2-1 lead in their series with Vegas?
- Ethan Del Mastro and the Sarnia Sting saw their postseason come to an end last night. Del Mastro was credited with 10 assists in 16 playoff games for Sarnia after a strong regular season.
- Willson Contreras is back at Wrigley Field this week with the team from Missouri. He’s had primary catching duties taken away from him already this season, and the Cardinals are struggling to do much right. How will he be received? We’ll find out soon.
- Finally, we’re used to pushing and shoving during hockey games. And it happens during NBA games as well. But… the owner of one team gets shoved by a former MVP during a playoff game? C’mon.
