The eight winners of the 2020 NHL playoffs qualifying round will advance into the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The eight losers, however, will have a chance at winning Phase 2 of the NHL Draft Lottery. The winner will have the opportunity to select Alexis Lafreniere, ranked this year's top prospect by NHL Central Scouting.
With the NHL schedule upset by COVID-19, this year's draft lottery couldn't be held until the final standings were determined by the current playoff qualifying round. As a result, the league announced two draft lotteries, with the first held on June 26 and the second slated for Monday, Aug.