The 2026-27 NHL regular season opens September 29 with an 84-game schedule and notable parity across conferences, as preseason projections from power rankings and models place roughly a dozen teams in the 95- to 110-point range while several others sit near the 80-point line. Defending champion Carolina returns largely intact after a 113-point campaign, Colorado enters as the consensus top regular-season side following its 121-point Presidents’ Trophy finish, and clubs such as Edmonton, Dallas, and Tampa Bay feature strong cores but face goaltending or injury questions. Rebuilding teams including Chicago, San Jose, and Vancouver project closer to or below 80 points, with roster additions and youth development determining whether they clear the threshold amid a compressed playoff race.