The Province

Which team needs Dahlin the most?

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Is it “Falling for Dahlin” or “All in for Dahlin”?

Either way, with the season winding down the focus for non-playoff teams has turned to the NHL draft lottery, which will take place on April 28 in Toronto. This year, there is even more incentive in finishing last, as the NHL bumped up the odds for the bottom-four teams (see chart)

The last-place Buffalo Sabres have the best odds at winning the No. 1 overall pick and selecting consensus top prospect Rasmus Dahlin of Sweden. But as we saw last year, when the 27th-place Devils won the No. 1 pick and the 19th-place Flyers won the No. 2 pick, anything can happen.

Here is a look at five teams that need to win the lottery the most.

BUFFALO 31ST

Despite finishing last in 2014 and 2015 years, the Sabres never had any luck in the lottery. With Casey Mittelstad­t joining Jack Eichel up front — and Alex Nylander knocking on the door in the minors — the team is a blue-chip defenceman away from turning this around.

OTTAWA 30TH

The Senators will probably lose Erik Karlsson this summer. But the loss wouldn’t hurt as much if they can get another high-skilled Swedish defenceman. Who knows, winning the lottery might actually persuade Karlsson to think about re-signing.

DETROIT 27TH

The last time the Red Wings had a No. 1 pick was in 1986 when they selected Joe Murphy. Since then, the team has drafted in the top-10 only three times. So, yeah, unlike Edmonton or Buffalo, Detroit is due for some good luck. NEW YORK ISLANDERS 24TH AND 20TH

Because the Flames’ first-round pick also belongs to the Islanders, a team that could be without its captain after another disappoint­ing season has two chances at winning the No. 1 pick — and subsequent­ly convincing John Tavares to re-sign.

EDMONTON 23RD

No, it wouldn’t necessaril­y be fair for the Oilers to win the lottery for a fifth time since 2010. But if we’re talking about needs, then it’s no question that Edmonton needs a Paul Coffey-like defenceman who can move the puck up to Connor McDavid.

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