The San Jose Sharks have won three in a row since captain Logan Couture returned from injury and made his season debut.
The Chicago Blackhawks have lost 18 consecutive road games.
As a result, the teams are tied with 30 points at the bottom of the NHL standings.
The Sharks, who lost to the Blackhawks in the game before Couture’s return, hold last place on a tiebreaker and have the best odds to win the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
The Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets (who just activated injured defenseman Zach Werenski) and Ottawa Senators round out the bottom five.
The Ducks, Blue Jackets, Blackhawks and Sharks were the bottom four teams last season. The Blackhawks (Connor Bedard) won the lottery and the Ducks (Leo Carlsson) won the second pick.
NHL Central Scouting this month named Boston University center Macklin Celebrini as the top North American prospect in its midseason rankings.
Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery so only the bottom 11 teams have a chance to gain the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft.
Which NHL teams have the best draft lottery odds (this file will be updated during the season)?
Which NHL teams have the best draft lottery odds?
Odds in parentheses. Standings as of Jan. 24.
San Jose Sharks (25.5%): 48 GP, 13-31-4, 30, .313Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%): 48 GP, 14-32-2, 30, .313Anaheim Ducks (11.5%): 47 GP, 16-30-1, 33, .351Columbus Blue Jackets (9.5%): 46 GP, 14-23-9, 37, .402Ottawa Senators (8.5%): 43 GP, 18-24-1, 37, .430Montreal Canadiens (7.5%): 47 GP, 19-21-7, 45, .479Buffalo Sabres (6.5%): 48 GP, 21-23-4, 46, .479Minnesota Wild (6.0%): 47 GP, 21-21-5, 47, .500Calgary Flames (5.0%): 47 GP, 21-21-5, 47, .500Seattle Kraken (3.5%): 47 GP, 20-18-9, .521Arizona Coyotes (3.0%): 46 GP, 23-20-3, 49, .533
Who is Macklin Celibrini?
The 6-0, 190 center is the top scorer for Boston University as a 17-year-old freshman and ranks fourth in the NCAA in points per game and second in goals per game with 16 goals and 32 points in 19 games. He was Canada’s leading scorer at the world junior championship with eight points in five games.
Central Scouting says Celibrini plays a complete game and is a strong skater with a fluid stride and top-end NHL speed.
“Macklin plays at a level all his own and it’s truly impressive to see how he thrives in every environment he competes in,’ said Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting.
Who are the top prospects in the 2024 NHL draft?
Behind Celebrini, the remaining top five North American skaters are:
Michigan State defenseman Artyom LevshunovMedicine Hat center Cayden LindstromUniversity of Denver defenseman Zeev BuiumTri-City (USHL) left wing Trevor ConnellyThe top three international skaters are Finnish center Konsta Helenius and two Russians, 6-7 defenseman Anton Silayev and right wing Ivan Demidov.
How does the draft lottery work?
There are two drawings, first for a chance at the top pick and then for a chance at the second pick. The last-place team can draft no lower than third overall. Beginning with the 2022 lottery, a team cannot win more than twice in a five-year period. There are 14 ping pong balls in the machine and each team is assigned a series of four numbers. The lower a team is in the standings, the more series of numbers it gets. If a team’s numbers are chosen, it wins the lottery. If a team in the 12 to 16 range wins, the last-place team retains the No. 1 overall pick.