The Bruins blew a lead and potentially helped their draft position in the process.
Sunday’s loss to the Sabres did two things. 1. It left the Bruins tied for the fourth fewest point in the NHL with the season winding down. 2.
It kept the Bruins behind the Sabres and put some distance between Boston and Buffalo after the teams started the day a point apart
The Bruins are tied with the Flyers, but Boston is temporarily fourth and Philly fifth because the Bruins have played one more game.
If that holds, it would mean the Bruins would enter the lottery with the fourth-best odds of picking first (9.5 percent). If they stay in that spot, the worst they could pick is No. 6 overall.
Fourth is the highest the Bruins can realistically expect to finish before the lottery. Nashville, which is currently third, has 62 points with six games left. It would be unlikely for a team that’s been bad all year to suddenly put together a win streak with no meaning.
Here’s where the Bruins sit:
Games left: 4 — At New Jersey. vs. Chicago, at Pittsburgh, vs. New Jersey
After Sunday’s games: The Bruins are tied with the Flyers with the fourth fewest points in the NHL. Boston is currently fourth because it has played one more game than Philadelphia.
Highest pre-lottery draft spot Bruins can reach: Third.
Lowest pre-lottery draft spot Bruins can reach: 13th
Outlook: At 31-38-9, the Bruins have 71 points. The most they can get to is 79 if they won their last four games. There are 19 teams who already have 80 or more points.
Only the Sharks and Blackhawks can’t reach 71.
