NHL draft lottery odds 2023: Sharks' standing after season-ending loss

Where Sharks stand in NHL draft lottery odds with season over

The Sharks' 2022-23 season has ended, but their spot in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes isn't set just yet.

San Jose entered Thursday's finale with a chance to still finish as high as second in the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery order, with 13.5 percent odds at the No. 1 pick, and potentially take Bedard, whom some consider to be the best prospect since Connor McDavid. The Sharks boasted the fourth-fewest points in the league with 60, and didn't pick any more up in a 5-2 loss to McDavid's Oilers.

But the Blackhawks ended the Sharks' potential for the No. 2 position with a 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers. Had Chicago defeated Philadelphia, it also would have finished with 60 points and lost the regulation-wins tiebreaker to San Jose.

The Sharks do, however, still have the ability to move up to No. 3, which would give them 11.5 percent odds at the No. 1 pick in the May 8 draft lottery.

The Blue Jackets defeated the Penguins 3-2 in overtime in their penultimate game Thursday to pull even with the Blackhawks at 59 points. That means the Sharks would take over the No. 3 spot if the Blue Jackets beat the Sabres at home Friday. Any other result, including an overtime loss, would keep San Jose at No. 4 since Columbus has fewer regulation wins.

While an overtime loss wouldn't drop the Blue Jackets to No. 4, it would see them finish at No. 3. Columbus, which owns the tiebreaker over Chicago, needs to lose in regulation to earn the No. 2 spot over the Blackhawks.

The Pacific Division rival Ducks, whom the Sharks couldn't surpass, locked up the best lottery odds with a loss to the Kings for a 13th straight defeat. Anaheim finished with 58 points, and now has a 25.5 percent chance at the No. 1 pick.

The Canadiens, who finished fifth, have 8.5 percent odds.

Updated odds in the race for Connor Bedard: Columbus loses in OT, Chicago loses in OT, San Jose loses in regulation, Anaheim loses in regulation. Anaheim will secure the best odds in the draft lottery now regardless of what Columbus does tomorrow. #TankForBedard#SJSharkspic.twitter.com/8Obs7Znv1Y

— Jeff Adams (@jeffmadams) April 14, 2023

San Jose never has picked first in the NHL draft, and this would be quite the year to end that drought. The Sharks will find out their fate one month from now.