The last week of the NHL regular season is finally upon us. Next Thursday marks the end of the campaign league-wide, with the Chicago Blackhawks\u2019 season ending on Wednesday against the Sharks. With just four games left, the Blackhawks are of course eliminated from playoff contention, and they\u2019ve now shifted their focus to a less important (but still important) goal: finishing as low in the standings as possible to aim for as high of a draft pick as possible.<\/p>\n
The abysmal Canucks have already clinched the \u201cworst team in the league\u201d mark\u2014they\u2019ve put up 52 points with just five games to play. That means they\u2019ll have a 25.5% chance at the top pick\u2014far from a guarantee, but certainly the best odds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Chicago finds itself in the middle of a dead heat for the second-lowest record, making its next four games that much more important. The Blackhawks are 28-36-14 with 70 points, just lower than the Flames (73), Rangers (75), and Kraken (75). Tiebreakers ensure that the Panthers and Maple Leafs, each with 78 points, are eliminated from contention for the second-highest odds, so Blackhawks fans looking to root for other lottery teams to help Chicago\u2019s odds only need to keep an eye on three teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, the Blackhawks can clinch the second-best odds by going 1-2-1 over their last four games. That shouldn\u2019t be too difficult, as none of the four teams they still have to play (Hurricanes, Blues, Sabres, Sharks) are eliminated from playoff contention (the Blues and Sharks are on the outside looking in).\u00a0<\/p>\n