NHL Daily: Flyers Gain in Draft-Lottery Rankings; Now No. 5

Ron Hextall’s Pittsburgh Penguins helped the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

The Penguins were jolted by Montreal, 6-4, and the Flyers (59 points) fell below the Canadiens (60) in the overall standings.

The Flyers, who dropped a 5-3 decision to Vegas, also benefitted when Arizona (61) scored a 4-3 overtime win over Calgary.

All three results dropped the Flyers to the fifth-worst record in the Great Lottery Race.

Hey, besides the development of the young players, it is one of the most interesting things to watch in the last month of the season.

The lower a team finishes, of course, the better their odds to land generational center Connor Bedard or one of the other outstanding players in the June draft.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Draft lottery: Tankathon’s rankings of teams’ chances for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Flyers are No. 5. They have an 8.5% chance. Columbus (25.5%), San Jose (13.5%), Chicago (11.5%), and Anaheim (9,5%) are ahead of them. Tankathon.

Philly Hockey Now: To their credit, the Flyers controlled the third period and got to within 4-3, but it wasn’t enough as they lost to Vegas. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: Coach John Tortorella isn’t crazy about the idea, but antsy center Sean Couturier wants to play a couple games this season. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins self-destructed in a 6-4 defeat to Montreal and lost defensemen Jeff Petry and Jan Rutta to injuries. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Colorado Hockey Now: With Artturi Lehkonen injured, the Avs need someone to step up. Who will it be? Colorado Avalanche.

Florida Hockey Now: When needed, former Flyers goalie Alex Lyon is ready. He is currently backing up Sergei Bobrovsky, another ex-Flyer. Florida Panthers.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Isles lost the special teams’ battle and fell to the Los Angeles Kings. New York Islanders.

Boston Hockey Now: In the stunner of the night, the Bruins lost to the lowly Blackhawks in Chicago. Boston Bruins.