As the Stanley Cup playoffs keep roaring on, one American city without a team in the postseason keeps tuning in and showing their passion for the game of hockey.

That same city was finally rewarded for its support and passion as it won the NHL draft lottery over the weekend. The NHL announced that the Buffalo Sabres would be selecting first overall in this year’s NHL entry draft.

The Sabres have not made the playoffs since 2011 and have not made the second round since 2007.

This year they finished dead last in the NHL with a 25-45-12 record and 62 points. This is not unfamiliar for Sabres fans, as they have finished with the best chance of obtaining the first overall pick three out the past five years. However, they had the worst luck in the league and had not won the first overall pick.

They lost out on drafting Connor McDavid, who has led the NHL in scoring the last two years for the Edmonton Oilers. Instead, they had the number two overall pick and chose Jack Eichel. Although Eichel is no slouch and is their franchise cornerstone at the moment, McDavid is a generational talent.

They also lost out the year before when Florida picked Aaron Ekblad first.

This year the Sabres will undoubtedly pick 18-year-old Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who seems to be a lock for the first overall pick. With Eichel and Dahlin on the same team, the franchise will finally appear to be on the path to success.

It could not happen to a better city, since Buffalo rivals any American city with its passion for hockey.

Buffalo has been second in ratings so far for the Stanley Cup playoffs behind only Pittsburgh — and ahead of Nashville and Boston, both of which have strong contending playoff teams. They finished 11th in attendance this year even with the worst team in hockey.

With former Penguins associate GM Jason Botterill as their first-year general manager, the Sabres seem to have the foundation set for the future. Also, with first-year coach Phil Housley on board, the losing culture of the Sabres finally looks like it is changing.

After missing out on franchise players like Aaron Ekblad, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid, the Sabres seem primed to have two of the most exciting young players, Dahlin and Eichel, in the NHL. That should finally give the Buffalo fan base something to cheer for.