Crosby almost certainly will be chosen first on July 30 when the NHL conducts its annual draft.
Pittsburgh joined Columbus, Buffalo and the New York Rangers with three balls in the 48-ball bin. The lottery was weighted to give teams that struggled in recent years a better chance.
The Penguins used that and the four-leaf clover general manager Craig Patrick carried in his palm to their advantage, edging Anaheim for No. 1.
Pittsburgh already has said it will take Crosby.
"I think he's a fantastic fit," Patrick said. "To be able to add someone of Sidney's talent, my mind goes round and round with possibilities."
Crosby has 120 goals and 183 assists in 121 games.
Now he'll get a chance to play with Mario Lemieux, who plays for and owns the Penguins.
"We trained together and skated together," Crosby said. "He's been great just to be around him. To see the way he handled himself, I learned a lot."
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