Canadiens fans react to rollercoaster ride on draft lottery day
While they may not have been the clear-cut winners of Saturday night’s NHL Draft Lottery, fans can breathe a (small) sigh of relief that the Montreal Canadiens climbed up the totem pole.
The Habs managed to claw their way up to a third overall pick, beating out other Canadian teams (namely the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks) who had similar odds entering the lottery.
Thanks in part to a new draft format that took place over the course of Saturday’s Vegas/San Jose playoff game, fans were locked into a rollercoaster ride of suspense. By the time the first 12 picks were announced, the suspense skyrocketed when it was evident that Montreal would have a top-three pick in this year’s draft.
The question was, however, where in the top-three?
For about two hours, fans waited on the edge of their seat to see if they would win the right to draft franchise-changing, Swedish-defenceman Rasmus Dahlin.
The Montreal Canadiens will have a top 3 selection! #NHLDraftLottery @AllHabs @RocketSports pic.twitter.com/3YU2nAMiJ7
— Matt Smith (@Snakebite350) April 28, 2018
Needless to say, making it past the initial lottery into a top-three slot was more than exciting news for Habs fans.
HEAVY BREATHING INTENSIFIES👀#FALLINFORDAHLIN #GOHABSGO #HABS pic.twitter.com/XJ8hxGunmG
— Mr. Northern Capital #HireBriseBois (@HubCityIcon) April 28, 2018
Habs Fans around the world pic.twitter.com/JJ9f8IxKl0
— Costa Rontzocos (@Rontzeeez) April 28, 2018
Tonight is the night the Hockey gods reward #Habs fans for the pain and suffering we had to live through this year! #GoHabsGo #NHLDraftLottery
— Adam H 🇨🇦 (@Howiead) April 28, 2018
That was quite literally the most exciting moment of the Habs’ season
— Doug (@Drdougboston) April 29, 2018
Habs fans more excited than Jim Hughson describing a Auston Matthews’ goal
— HabsFanInTO (@HabsFanInTO) April 29, 2018
IF THE MONTREAL CANADIENS GET THE FIRST OVERAL PICK IM BUYING A JERSEY WITH WHOEVER WE DRAFTS NAME ON IT
— Habs 2019 Stanley Cup Champs (@BrownThunderr) April 28, 2018
I just celebrated like the #Habs won the Stanley Cup.
— Peter Alper (@peteralper99) April 28, 2018
Just got a text from rabid Canadiens fan friend. He’s literally saying prayers for Dahlin now
— Adrian Dater (@adater) April 29, 2018
If Ramus Dahlin is going to be a bust anywhere, it better be the Montreal Canadiens
— Marc Bergevin (@NotTheHabsGM) April 29, 2018
And although the Canadiens ended up taking the third spot, it’s still something to smile about, especially since lottery odds gave the team a higher chance of dropping to fifth place instead of moving up.
I was expecting 7th. We’re got 3rd.
I count this as a win. Good day for the #Habs
— 🎁Dapper Weber – still send JT🏒 (@heelEvan) April 29, 2018
Lottery is the jackpot, but I won’t be mad about drafting 3rd. Habs very well could have been outside the top 5. Still a big night ! #Habs
— Nik – #SHALIEVE 🦁 (@NikkF07) April 29, 2018
The #Habs will draft higher than I thought. A top three pick will be a very good selection, regardless of who it is. I won’t be disappointed at that. The real issue will be how Marc Bergevin handles the four second rounders and any trades, signings in the off season.
— David Olinger (@David_W_Olinger) April 28, 2018
While it’s there are several options for the Canadiens come June, the hope is that some much-needed scoring ability joins Jonathan Drouin and the rest of the boys.
There was, also, a very interesting event that took place with one of the draft’s top prospects.
Filip Zadina started following the Habs on instagram 👀
— Liam #DraftZadina (@gohabsgo92) April 29, 2018
Filip Zadina follows ONE NHL team on Instagram. That team? The Montreal Canadiens #Habs pic.twitter.com/5gYCTuREyV
— Nic – 3rd overall pick fan (@NicSoul1997) April 29, 2018
It looks like only time will tell.