The NHL's 2026-27 regular season opens with a deep group of contenders capable of pushing toward 100 points over the 84-game schedule. Preseason projections highlight the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Buffalo Sabres as frontrunners based on roster depth, recent form, and goaltending stability, while Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild sit just behind. Recent Stanley Cup champion Carolina and Presidents' Trophy-level Colorado enter with strong cores, though salary-cap constraints, travel demands, and injury risks can quickly alter trajectories. Historical patterns show five to eight teams typically clear the threshold in an 82- or 84-game year, with the current market consensus shaped by these overlapping strengths across conferences.