The New York Islanders entered the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery with just a 3.5% chance of landing the top pick. By the time ball No. 13 completed the winning 7-11-12-13 combination on Monday, they had secured the franchise’s first No. 1 overall selection since 2009.

The New York Islanders, who missed the playoffs for the second time in four seasons, earned a remarkable lottery win by entering the day with a 3.5% shot — the 10th-best odds — of seeing their numbers come up.

The Islanders, who at 3.5 percent had the 10th-best chance of winning the lottery, would pick No. 1 for the fifth time and the first since selecting center John Tavares in the 2009 NHL Draft. They also took goalie Rick DiPietro first in 2000, defenseman Denis Potvin in 1973 and forward Billy Harris in 1972.