:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59537773/80555615.jpg.0.jpg)
Time for our Super Bowl.
Our Top of The Pops.
You know what I’m talking about. If it’s not time for BOGO Teen Burgers at the A&W, then it’s got to be time for the NHL Draft Lottery. You will recall the Draft Lottery as the event that the Oilers are really, really, really good at. Four first round picks in seven years good. Move over New England Patriots, you ain’t got nothing on us.
It’s the one time a year where we look at each other like both dogs do in Lady and the Tramp during the spaghetti scene. This is our shootout, and we’ve got Connor McDavid on the ice. Things are about to go our way.
Even though the Oilers have “just a 5% chance” at winning the thing, we’ll have to wait a little bit more than usual for the inevitable moment where the golden Oilers card pops out of Bill Daly’s overstuffed envelope like a portly gentleman in a pair of 34 wides.
Just saw the NHL’s format/timing for Saturday’s draft lottery. Picks 15 thru 4 between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. ET, picks 3 thru 1 in the second intermission of an 8 p.m. ET game. Huh. I suppose we should be happy they aren’t doing one pick a day for two weeks.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 26, 2018
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
In an effort to build up suspense to the Rasmus Dahlin sweepstakes, the NHL will reveal the first twelve results of the lottery between 7:30 and 8 PM Eastern on CBC. They’ll then reveal the winners of the top three picks during the second intermission of Sharks / Golden Knights.
I’m not lovin’ it. You lose some of the excitement when you chop the lottery up. Who could forget the excitement, the buildup, and the eventual eruption for Edmnonton?
Who could forget the utter deflation for other lottery teams in Toronto and Buffalo?
So be ready for the inevitable on Saturday. Pregame if you want to see the first twelve teams, second intermission if you want to see the Oilers assume their rightful place atop the draft chart. It’s just the way it is.