With the 2026-27 NHL season opening on an expanded 84-game schedule, league-wide parity and projected point totals position roughly 20-24 teams as realistic candidates to reach 80 points. Defending champion Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, and Vegas anchor the upper tier with elite depth and goaltending stability, while Florida’s addition of Brady Tkachuk and Washington’s offseason reinforcements bolster Eastern Conference contention. Mid-tier clubs such as Buffalo, Minnesota, and Utah benefit from young cores and recent momentum, though goaltending uncertainty for Edmonton and potential injury attrition across the board could compress or expand the group. Bottom feeders like Chicago, Detroit, and Vancouver face steeper climbs, making health, schedule strength, and late-season form the decisive variables for reaching the benchmark.