NHL Daily: Flyers’ Draft-Lottery Odds; Playoff Races Sizzle

The Philadelphia Flyers have a good chance to finish with the seventh-worst record. If they stay at No. 7 after the May 8 draft lottery, 17-year-old center Dalibor Dvorsky is among the players who should be on their radar.

Meanwhile, Florida (87 points), the New York Islanders (87), and Pittsburgh (86) all have four games remaining as they battle for the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots. And don’t shut the door yet on Buffalo, which has 81 points but has two games in hand on the other three teams.

Speaking of exciting races, Colorado, Dallas, and Minesota each have 98 points in a fight for the Central Division title. The Avalanche have six games left, while the Stars (who host the Flyers on Thursday) and Wild each have five remaining.

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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: A look at where the Flyers should finish heading into the draft lottery, their odds to get the No. 1 overall pick (Connor Bedard), and an intriguing prospect they could select in Round 1. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Will Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury severely damage his former team’s playoff hopes when the Wild visit Pittsburgh on Thursday? Pittsburgh Penguins.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers recently lost four straight, but they are very much alive in the playoff race because of the Penguins’ struggles. Florida Panthers.

Montreal Hockey Now: Montreal goalie Cayden Primeau, a former star at Bishop Eustace Prep in Pennsauken, is still with the Canadiens at the moment. Can he open some eyes? Montreal Canadiens.

Colorado Avalanche: The injury-riddled Avs weren’t even in a playoff spot in early January, but they are now in first place — at one point, they were 14 points out of the top spot — and control their own destiny. They are after their second straight Stanley Cup. Colorado Avs.

Arizona Coyotes: Fun times in Arizona. The club has filed a $2.3 billion claim against Phoenix over its arena, citing a breach of contract. Coyotes.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins’ David Krejci, a 36-year-old center, left practice early Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Thursday’s home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has an unspecified injury. Boston Bruins.