Several NHL clubs have posted strong early-season results through mid-November 2026, placing them well above the roughly 1.10 points-per-game pace needed for 90 points over 82 games. Carolina, Minnesota, Edmonton, Boston, and Vegas lead with 24–28 points in 17–18 games, while Tampa Bay, New Jersey, and the Avalanche sit close behind on comparable trajectories. League-wide projections reflect this form, forecasting more than 20 teams to finish at or above the threshold if current trends hold. Key variables include injury management, rest advantages during the condensed schedule, and divisional matchups that could shift momentum for borderline clubs like the Rangers, Predators, and Kraken. Bottom-feeders such as Vancouver and Chicago face steep climbs to reach 90.