The Saskatoon Blades can’t seem to slow down Connor Bedard.
Unfortunately for Bedard, his Regina Pats teammates aren’t having nearly as much success.
The third-seeded Blades took a 3-2 lead in their WHL first-round playoff series with a 4-2 win over the visiting Pats before 12,098 on Friday.
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After scoring both of his team’s goals Friday, Bedard now has 15 points in the playoffs — during which Regina has 20 goals.
It was the third win in a row for the favoured Blades — and the first win for a home team in the best-of-seven series.
Bedard, 17, is projected to be the first overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft — meaning Game 6 could be his junior finale if the Pats lose.
The Pats are making their first playoff appearance since 2018.
BEDARD’S PLAYOFF TOTALS: 5 GP, 10 G, 5 A, 15 Pts.
BEDARD’S REGULAR SEASON TOTALS: 57 GP, 71 G, 72 A, 143 Pts.
PATS’ RECORD: Regina trails the best-of-seven series 3-2.
UP NEXT: Game 6 is Saturday at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CST in Regina.
With Bedard the top-ranked prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft, here’s a look at the current lottery odds. There will be two lottery draws where the top two picks are up for grabs.
The percentages below indicate the chances of a team winning the first lottery when the top pick is in play. However, teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in order, so if a team outside of the bottom 11 wins the first draw, it won’t get the first overall pick. Therefore, while the 32nd-ranked team has an 18.5 per cent to win the first lottery, it still has a 25.5 per cent chance to pick first overall.
The NHL Draft Lottery will be held on May 8 and the results will be revealed live on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
|
TEAM |
RECORD |
PTS |
PTS% |
FIRST LOTTERY ODDS |
|
Anaheim |
23-45-10 |
56 |
.359 |
18.5% |
|
Columbus |
24-46-8
|
56 |
.359 |
13.5% |
|
Chicago |
25-47-6 |
56 |
.359 |
11.5% |
|
San Jose |
22-40-16 |
60 |
.385 |
9.5% |
|
Arizona |
27-39-13 |
67 |
.424 |
8.5% |
|
Montreal |
31-42-6 |
68 |
.430 |
7.5% |
|
Philadelphia |
29-36-13 |
71 |
.455 |
6.5% |
|
Vancouver |
35-36-7 |
77 |
.494 |
6% |
|
Washington |
34-35-9 |
77 |
.494 |
5% |
|
St. Louis |
37-35-7 |
81 |
.513 |
3.5% |
|
Ottawa |
37-35-7 |
81 |
.513 |
3% |
|
*Detroit |
35-33-10 |
80 |
.513 |
2.5% |
|
*Buffalo |
38-32-7 |
83 |
.539 |
2% |
|
*Pittsburgh |
39-30-10 |
88 |
.557 |
1.5% |
|
*Calgary |
37-27-15 |
89 |
.563 |
0.5% |
|
*Nashville |
40-30-8 |
88 |
.564 |
0.5% |
* denotes a team outside of the bottom 11 that can’t get the first overall pick in the lottery
• Florida’s unprotected first-round pick belongs to the Montreal Canadiens
• Standings as of games ending Friday
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