Arizona’s Sam Gagner, center, scored the overtime winner last week in Buffalo. (Gary Wiepert, AP)
The rematch of the Jack Eichel Bowl is set for tonight when the Buffalo Sabres play the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz.
Last week in Buffalo, the Coyotes won 4-3 in overtime with some Sabres fans cheering the Coyotes.
If the Coyotes win, the Sabres are nearly a lock to finish with the NHL’s worst record, which would guarantee them at least the right to draft sensational Boston University freshman center Eichel with the No. 2 pick. They would have a 20% shot of winning the draft lottery and taking Ontario Hockey League standout Connor McDavid No. 1 overall.
A Coyotes’ win in regulation would put them eight points ahead of the Sabres, and Buffalo would have six games remaining. With an eight-point “lead,” the Sabres would have to go 4-1-1 and the Coyotes would have to earn no points in their last five games to move Arizona into the last spot. The Sabres, who trail in the first tiebreaker of regulation/overtime wins, have lost 12 of their past 13 games.
MORE: Monday’s playoff clinching scenarios
The Sabres had fully embraced rebuilding coming into this season and then traded their top goalies, Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth, who were playing well at the time they were dealt. The Coyotes came into this season with aspirations of competing for a playoff spot but began moving out some top players when it became clear they were out of contention.
Eichel and McDavid are considered generational players, although McDavid is expected to go No. 1. He has a bit more offensive flair, although Eichel is also projected to put up impressive numbers.
If the Sabres finish last, they’d be adding McDavid or Eichel to join young center Sam Reinhart (last year’s No. 2 overall pick), proven scorer Evander Kane and a few quality young defensemen.
Your games today
Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7:30
Vancouver at St. Louis, 8
Los Angeles at Chicago, 8:30, NBC Sports Network
Calgary at Dallas, 8:30
Edmonton at Colorado, 9
Buffalo at Arizona, 10
Follow the rest of USA TODAY Sports’ in-depth NHL coverage at nhl.usatoday.com.
