2023 NHL Draft Lottery Preview: Sabres have 13th-best odds to win

The NHL Draft Lottery is tonight, and while the Sabres cannot obtain the No. 1 overall pick, the potential exists for a jump into the top three. 

The Sabres possess the 13th-best odds to win the first lottery draw at 2.0 percent. Because of a rule change that was instituted last year, they can jump a maximum of 10 spots - meaning they would win the No. 3 overall pick with the lottery win. 

The bottom line? The Sabres are overwhelmingly likely to pick 13th, but can also pick third, 14th, or 15th depending on how the lottery balls draw. 

So, let's not rule anything out. The lottery begins at 8 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN+.

In the meantime, let's try and answer some of your questions.

The NHL Draft Lottery determines the order of selection for the first 16 picks in the NHL Draft. The 16 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs are placed in inverse order based on their finish in the standings and assigned descending odds to win the first of two lottery drawings.

The odds this year are as follows:

1. Anaheim - 18.5 percent2. Columbus - 13.5 percent3. Chicago - 11.5 percent4. San Jose - 9.5 percent5. Montreal - 8.5 percent6. Arizona - 7.5 percent7. Philadelphia - 6.5 percent8. Washington - 6.0 percent9. Detroit - 5.0 percent10. St. Louis - 3.5 percent11. Vancouver - 3.0 percent12. Ottawa - 2.5 percent13. Buffalo - 2.0 percent14. Pittsburgh - 1.5 percent15. Nashville - 0.5 percent