The 2026-27 NHL season, expanded to 84 games per team, opened in late September with defending champion Carolina Hurricanes and top projections for Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights all positioned as heavy favorites to clear 90 points based on preseason models. Early results through early October show strong starts from Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota Wild, while roster continuity for contenders like the Avalanche and recent additions across the East support the trader consensus around double-digit teams reaching the mark. Depth across conferences, limited major injuries reported so far, and historical patterns where 14-18 clubs typically hit 90 points in similar seasons shape expectations, with schedule strength and goaltending stability remaining key variables over the full campaign.