**The 2026-27 NHL season opened in late September with Carolina raising its banner as defending champion after a 113-point 2025-26 campaign.** Preseason models from sources including The Athletic and OddPuck project only a small number of clubs—primarily the Colorado Avalanche (around 104-110 projected points), Carolina Hurricanes (105-108), and Vegas Golden Knights (103-108)—as realistic candidates to reach the 110-point threshold in an 82-game schedule. Depth, goaltending stability, and injury management for stars such as Connor McDavid and emerging talents like Connor Bedard will drive outcomes, while early results and rest advantages in a compressed schedule could shift momentum for contenders like the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. Historical patterns show that only a few teams typically clear this elite mark, reflecting the wisdom of crowds in current market pricing.