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Saturday’s NHL draft lottery is a consolation prize of sorts for Edmonton sports bars shut out for a decade from the boost in business that Oilers playoff hockey brings.

“It’s kind of a bonus day for us,” said Riley Steele, general manager of the Pint Public House downtown.

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“Playoff hockey without any Canadian teams, we’re obviously feeling the impact of that. There’s definitely fewer fans coming to watch playoff hockey.”

Managers of local drinking establishments expect they will have more customers than usual Saturday at 5 p.m. when the league announces the order of selection for the first 14 picks in the first round of the draft.

The Oilers, who finished second last, could end up with the first overall pick for the fifth time in the past seven drafts — a feat of luck and ineptitude sure to infuriate fans of other teams, but delight hometown boosters.

It will also be one of only two times this post-season that fans will have reason to don their Oilers gear and head to the bar to cheer the team. The other time being the NHL draft itself on June 24.