Preview/Lines #73: Sharks Are No. 1!

After 32 years, the San Jose Sharks are finally No. 1!

Well, at top of Draft lottery odds – and just for a day.

But the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 5-4 OT win over the New York Islanders on Friday was a sight for sore eyes, if you only have eyes for Connor Bedard.

The updated NHL standings. pic.twitter.com/tTK5VZTi0p

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) March 25, 2023

The Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks both have an NHL-worst 53 points, but by virtue of one extra game played, the Sharks have the lowest Points % in the league, which is the first tiebreaker. If the season ended today, San Jose, at 25.5 percent, would have the best odds at the No. 1 pick and potential generational prospect Bedard. Columbus would have a 13.5 percent shot.

The second tiebreaker, by the way, is regulation wins: Columbus has 15, San Jose 14.

The San Jose Sharks have never had the first-overall pick in a Draft.

But they’re sure trying their best to get it: They’re 1-7-3 in March.

The Draft lottery is May 8 at 4 PM PT.

San Jose Sharks (19-38-15)

Kaapo Kahkonen will start, but otherwise, the Sharks’ line-up won’t be shared until a couple hours before the early game.

Quinn says Kahkonen will start tomorrow. Not sure about rest of the line-up, MacDonald and Benning are among the game-time decisions. Says Simek did come through well last night

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 24, 2023

Calgary Flames (32-26-15)

Check out Calgary Hockey Now for the latest on the Calgary Flames’ line-up.

Where to Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Calgary Flames at 1 PM PST at Scotiabank Saddledome. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.