The Senators went into last night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers holding down the 27th spot in the league, which would have them seeded fourth for the draft lottery. That would give them a 10.7 per cent chance of winning the lottery and choosing first overall for the first time since 1996. If they could somehow move in arrears of the Florida Panthers, they’d have the third seed and their chances of choosing first would increase to 14.2 per cent.

But even if the Senators run the table and win out in the regular season, the worst they’d be seeded is sixth.

But chances are they’ll be in the top five and for their sake, hopefully the top four. And that is important because there are four prospects in most observers’ minds who have set themselves apart this season and by finishing 27th or worst, the Senators would assure themselves of having a chance of selecting one of those players.

Edmonton has already assured itself of last place and will likely pick first overall. They’ll have to choose between a slick centre in Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and a top-flight defenceman in Adam Larsson of Sweden. The Colorado Avalanche, if they were second, would likely take whomever Edmonton doesn’t take, but there’s a chance they could go with centre Gabriel Landeskog of the Kitchener Rangers.

None of the three is considered a bad choice by most NHL scouts and where they are drafted might depend on what the team needs. Ironically, Nugent-Hopkins might go first and not be ready to play in the NHL next season, whereas both Larsson and Landeskog are seen as much more NHL-ready.

So if the Senators do manage to pick fourth, their choice will almost certainly come down to one of two hulking Quebec Major Junior Hockey League centres — either Sean Couturier of the Drummondville Voltigeurs or Jonathan Huberdeau of the St. John Sea Dogs.

Both have put up impressive numbers this season and represent the big centre every team covets. Whomever the Senators get, they can be assured of adding a very solid prospect to their fold.

Now all they have to do is make it happen in the last week of the season.