The race for Rasmus Dahlin, the presumptive No. 1 selection in the 2018 NHL Draft , has reached the finish line.
The Sabres won Saturday's lottery drawing and the opportunity to select the generational Swedish defenseman, a major relief for a woebegone franchise that finished dead last in the NHL for the third time in five years. The Hurricanes, who moved up nine spots from No. 11 to No. 2, and the Canadiens round out the top three.
Carolina was the biggest mover in the lottery, holding just a 9.9 percent chance for a top-three pick after finishing 21st. Montreal moved up from No. 4 overall.
NHL DRAFT 2018: SN's Mock 1.0 | Prospect rankings
Buffalo held the best odds for the first overall pick. The franchise, which lost the lottery and settled for No. 2 picks in 2014 and 2015, has picked first overall twice in its history: Pierre Turgeron in 1987 and Gilbert Perreault in 1970.
The Hurricanes' ascent up the draft order represents the third straight year the would-be top three underwent an overhaul based on the order of finish in the regular season. In 2017, the Devils (8.517 percent), Flyers (2.204 percent) and Stars (5.812 percent) stunningly bumped the Avalanche, Canucks, Golden Knights and Coyotes (tied) from the top three, winning the rights to Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick. In 2016, the Jets nabbed Patrik Laine with the No. 2 pick despite holding the fifth-best odds.
Carolina will pick second overall for the fourth time in franchise history, dating to its days in Hartford (Sylvain Turgeon, 1983; Chris Pronger, 1993; Eric Staal, 2003). This is the second time since 1980 the Canadiens will draft in the top three (Alex Galchenyuk, third overall in 2012).
MORE: Rasmus Dahlin can change conversation on D-men drafted No. 1
2018 NHL Draft order, lottery results
Points vs. No. 1 overall percent chance vs. top-three percent chance
| 1. Buffalo Sabres | 62 points | 18.5% | 49.4% |
| 2. Carolina Hurricanes (from No. 11) | 83 points | 3.0% | 9.9% |
| 3. Montreal Canadiens (from No. 4) | 71 points | 9.5% | 28.8% |
| 4. Ottawa Senators | 67 points | 13.5% | 38.8% |
| 5. Arizona Coyotes | 70 points | 11.5% | 33.9% |
| 6. Detroit Red Wings | 73 points | 8.5% | 26.1% |
| 7. Vancouver Canucks | 73 points | 7.5% | 23.3% |
| 8. Chicago Blackhawks | 76 points | 6.5% | 20.4% |
| 9. New York Rangers | 77 points | 6.0% | 19.0% |
| 10. Edmonton Oilers | 78 points | 5.0% | 16.0% |
| 11. New York Islanders | 80 points | 3.5% | 11.4% |
| 12. New York Islanders (via Flames) | 84 points | 2.5% | 8.2% |
| 13. Dallas Stars | 92 points | 2.0% | 6.6% |
| 14. Philadelphia Flyers (via Blues) | 94 points | 1.5% | 5.0% |
| 15. Florida Panthers | 96 points | 1.0% | 3.3% |
