**The 2026-27 NHL season opened with an expanded 84-game schedule, elevating the bar for 110-point campaigns compared to prior 82-game totals.** Preseason projections and early power rankings highlight a narrow tier of contenders—primarily the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning—as the clearest candidates, drawing from their recent regular-season dominance, including the Avalanche’s 121 points and Carolina’s 113 in 2025-26. Key drivers include elite forward depth, goaltending stability, and favorable early schedules, while injury resilience and divisional matchups will shape whether additional clubs like the Edmonton Oilers or Vegas Golden Knights join them. The longer season amplifies the importance of roster health and momentum through the winter months.