Coach K’s Last Dance

League-Worst Buffalo Sabres Win Top Pick in NHL Draft; Expansion Seattle Kraken Pick No. 2

This is how draft lotteries are supposed to work, but they rarely do. The Buffalo Sabres — after an abysmal 15-win season — had a 16.6 percent chance to win the NHL Draft Lottery, and they did. Buffalo previously picked No. 1 overall in 2018. They’re back three years later. But unlike past seasons, the projected top pick is still something of a mystery. Three players are potential candidates for No. 1 overall, including Owen Power, Luke Hughes and Dylan Guenther. Here’s how the rest of the draft lottery played out.

NHL Draft Order (2021)

1. Buffalo Sabres

2. Seattle Kraken

3. Anaheim Ducks

4. New Jersey Devils

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

6. Detroit Red Wings

7. San Jose Sharks

8. Los Angeles Kings

9. Vancouver Canucks

10. Ottawa Senators

11. Chicago Blackhawks

12. Calgary Flames

13. Philadelphia Flyers

14. Dallas Stars

15. New York Rangers

The NHL Draft is scheduled for July 23.

Additional Storylines

TSN: Sabres Win First Selection at 2021 NHL Draft, So Who Are They Picking?

SportsNet: NHL Top 15 Mock Draft: Sabres in Position to Take Owen Power No. 1 Overall

THE PLAYOFFS 

NBA Playoffs

Gm 5: 76ers def. Wizards (129-112)

A big second half, 30 points from Seth Curry and a triple-double from Ben Simmons helped the 76ers put the Wizards to bed early in Game 5. Philly closed out the series despite the loss of Joel Embiid to a meniscus tear that could keep him out for part of Round 2. The Sixers will face the Hawks (next section). PHI Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 5: Hawks def. Knicks (103-89)

The Hawks ran the Knicks out of Madison Square Garden last night, ending their season behind Trae Young’s 36 points and 9 assists. It’s Atlanta’s first playoff series win in five years, but the biggest test is next against the 1-seed 76ers. ATL Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 5: Jazz def. Grizzlies (126-110)

The Utah Jazz left no doubt in Game 5 as they jumped on the Grizzlies by 20 in the first quarter. Donovan Mitchell (30 points, 10 assists) and Rudy Gobert (23 points, 15 rebounds) packaged a pair of double-doubles. Mitchell went 5-for-8 from deep, and the Jazz won four straight games to close out Memphis after losing Game 1. UTA Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 5: Mavericks def. Clippers (105-100)

Luka Doncic had 42 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds in a crucial Game 5 that swung the series back in favor of the Mavericks. The Clippers nearly mounted a late comeback, but it was too little too late. It’s just the second time in NBA history that the road team has won all five games to start a playoff series (1995). Game 6 is back in Dallas on Friday night. DAL Leads Series (3-2)

NHL Playoffs

Gm 1: Canadiens def. Jets (5-3)

The Montreal madness continues. The Canadiens beat the Jets in Game 1 for their fourth straight postseason win. Eric Staal had a goal and an assist, but Nick Suzuki had the goal of the night — a savvy dangle on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The 4-seed from the North just put the rest of the playoffs on notice. MTL Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 2: Avalanche def. Golden Knights (3-2, OT)

It’s gut-check time for Vegas. The Colorado Avalanche survived a Game 2 thriller to stretch their lead in the series to 2-0. Mikko Rantanen netted the OT winner just 2:07 into the extra period and put the Avs in control. Colorado could be the only 1-seed still standing after the divisional brackets are complete. COL Leads Series (2-0)

 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

️ MLB: Dodgers Explode for 11-Run 1st Inning

Cody Bellinger smashed a grand slam as the Dodgers plated 11 runs in the 1st inning of Wednesday’s 14-3 win against the Cardinals. It was the most runs scored in a single inning since the franchise moved to Los Angeles.

 TENNIS: Serena Survives 2nd-Round Scare

Serena Williams advanced Wednesday morning at Roland-Garros, but not without a fight. She defeated Mihaela Buzarnescu (6-3, 5-7, 6-1). Next up? She’ll face fellow American Danielle Rose Collins in Round 3.

THE STORYLINES 

Brad Stevens Becomes the President

…of Boston’s basketball operations? The Celtics coach is leaving the sideline to take over for Danny Ainge, who is stepping down from his role as president of basketball operations. Can the first-time executive help fix Boston in ways he couldn’t with X’s and O’s? (The Ringer)

NFL Dominoes Left to Fall in June

Now that we’re into the month of June, we should see player movement once again ramp up… With those moves potentially clearing money off the books and teams locking up their rookie classes, there will also be another wave of free-agent signings as veterans who have languished on the market since March finally find work. (Bleacher Report)

Osaka Sparked a Mental Health Conversation

But are we willing to have it?… Just 23, Naomi Osaka, already the highest-paid female athlete in sports history, posted news Monday of her struggles with long bouts of depression and anxiety. Let’s not squander this opportunity. To have this conversation, though, we have to be willing to actually converse. (USA Today)

 THE HEADLINES

Mets’ Marcus Stroman Calls Out ‘Racist Undertones’ in Du-Rag Comments From D-Backs Broadcaster

(CBS Sports)

Babe Ruth Minor League Card Sells for $6 Million, Most Expensive Sports Card Ever Sold

(Yahoo! Sports)

Beach Volleyball Stars Kerri Walsh Jennings & Brooke Sweat Fail to Qualify for Olympics

(NBC Sports)

Ravens & Rams ‘Out’ on Julio Jones Trade, Titans Rumors Pick Up Steam

(Bleacher Report)

Canadiens’ Jake Evans Gets Stretchered Off Ice After Predatory Hit From Mark Scheifele

(SportsNet)

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French Open

M: (1) N. Djokovic vs. P. Cuevas (8:30 am ET)

M: (8) R. Federer vs. M. Cilic (10:00 am ET)

M: (3) R. Nadal vs. R. Gasquet (3:00 pm ET)

W: (4) S. Kenin vs. H. Baptiste (In Action)

W: (1) A. Barty vs. M. Linette (In Action)

W: (24) C. Gauff vs. Q. Wang (8:15 am ET)

Concacaf Nations League (Semi-Finals)

USMNT vs. Honduras (7:30 pm ET)

NBA Playoffs

Gm 6: Nuggets at Blazers (8:00 pm ET)

Gm 6: Suns at Lakers (10:30 pm ET)

NHL Playoffs

Gm 3: Bruins at Islanders (7:30 pm ET)

Gm 3: Hurricanes at Lightning (8:00 pm ET)

PGA Tour

The Memorial Tournament

Tee Times