NHL Standings: Oilers Secure Last Place

(picture courtesy of dallas.theoffside.com)

So the Edmonton Oilers might have been destroyed by the aging Calgary Flames last night, but we will see who is laughing come June 24th.With both the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks winning last night, the flames were mathematically elimnated regardless of their big win on home ice. Meanwhile, Edmonton has locked up last place guaranteeing them either Adam Larsson or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on draft day. I won't get into the whole debate right now, but it's celebration worthy if you're an Edmonton Oiler fan. Although it would have been nice to see the Calgary Flames lose to the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, the night couldn't have played out better for the team. If you told me at the start of the season that Edmonton would get the 1st overall pick while the Flames and Leafs missed the playoffs- I would have taken it.

To make the night even better, the Anaheim Ducks destroyed the San Jose Sharks last night to pull within one point of the Los Angeles Kings. At least that was until the Los Angeles Kings were able to come from behind and beat the Phoenix Coyotes. Right now the standings look like this:

4. Los Angeles 80GP 98P
5. Nashville 80GP 97P
6. Phoenix 80GP 96P
7. Anaheim 80GP 95P
8. Chicago 80GP 95P
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9. Calgary 81GP 93P (eliminated)
10. Dallas 79GP 91P (not eliminated)

Considering Dallas plays Colorado twice and Minnesota once, they could very well pull out 6 points and surpass Nashville, Phoenix, Anaheim or Chicago. I'm not saying its likely, but its certainly possible. Also the last two games for LA are against the ducks. Considering how well they played last night, they could very well hand LA two straight losses. Unfortunately the Kings clinched a playoff spot yesterday but they could still finish 8th in the west. If this is the case, Edmonton's 1st round pick acquired from the Dustin Penner deal would be 15th-16th overall. If we could somehow land Duncan Siemens, Mark McNeill, Mika Zibanejad or Tyler Biggs with LA's pick it would certainly help speed up the rebuild.