NHL Over/Under Point Total Best Bets for the 2026-27 Season
We are a little over two months away from opening night in the National Hockey League, and many rosters are taking shape. I thought it was a great opportunity to make some future bets on NHL season-long point totals.
Buffalo Sabres Over 96.5 points (+100)
The Buffalo Sabres ended a 14-year playoff drought last season in capturing the Atlantic Division with 109 points. Gone are Alex Tuch and his 33 goals along with defenseman Bowen Byram. The Sabres acquired Olen Zellweger from Anaheim to fill the void of Byram who was traded to Chicago. When it comes to replacing the loss of Tuch, Buffalo will look to players like Konsta Helenius, Jack Quinn and Zach Benson to take another step in their progression. The Sabres may not match last season’s output of 109 points, but I don’t see a 13-point drop-off from a season ago.
Dallas Stars Over 100.5 (-130)
The Dallas Stars are coming off a 112-point season and have not finished with fewer than 100 points for a full 82-game season since 2018-19 (93 points). The only significant change to the Stars roster was the loss of Mavrik Bourque (20 goals last season), who was traded to the Nashville Predators. As of now, Jason Robertson, who filed for salary arbitration, is still a member of the Dallas Stars. I don’t see the Stars falling off to the level where they don’t earn at least 100 points, and I am banking on the fact that they will earn at least 101 points.
Minnesota Wild Under 101.5 (-130)
The Minnesota Wild have been widely reported as the number one destination for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, who has requested a trade. It remains to be seen if the firing of Red Wings General Manager changes the trade request of Larkin or if a new general manager in Detroit can work out a deal with Minnesota. But that’s not the only issue that Bill Guerin has been dealing with this summer. He has yet to have defenseman Quinn Hughes put pen to paper on a contract extension. Hughes has one year remaining on his existing contract that he originally signed in Vancouver. I do wonder if Hughes is waiting to see if Guerin is able to acquire Dylan Larkin, which would significantly upgrade Minnesota down the middle and make them legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. I can’t see Hughes taking a penny less than the 17 million a year that Kirill Kaprizov signed for last season. The uncertainty of the Hughes contract was likely a contributing factor to Guerin having to say goodbye to Mats Zuccarello and Vladimir Tarasenko. It will be interesting to see how the loss of Zuccarello impacts Kaprizov. The two had a great deal of chemistry. As one general manager said, “it was like they felt they were the only two players on the ice when they skated together. I don’t believe this Wild roster is as good as it was last season when they finished with 104 points.
Utah Mammoth Over 96.5 points (+100)
The Utah Mammoth finished last season with 92 points. With the additions of Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee, Utah instantly became better up front, adding two players that are willing to score greasy goals. Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley, and the arrival of Trocheck give Utah a center group that can match up well against any team in the Western Conference, let alone the Central Division. Utah also acquired goalie Sebastian Cossa from Detroit. Once viewed as the goaltender of the future in Detroit, he will now get his opportunity to back up Karel Vejmelka. If Cossa can provide solid goaltending for around 25 games, it would go a long way in keeping Vejmelka fresh, who was the only goaltender to start at least 60 games (63) last season. From where I sit, no reason why Utah can’t be five points better (two more wins, Overtime loss) than last season.
Washington Capitals Over 99.5 points (-115)
No team did more this offseason to get better than the Washington Capitals. With the signing of free agent 33-goal scorer Alex Tuch, the trade that brought them forward Jordan Kyrou in exchange for Connor McMichael, along with free agents Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais, the Caps are arguably the deepest team in the league. Washington finished with 95 points last season, and a five-point increase from last season is more than within reach. I am very bullish on the Capitals and already have them in-pocket at (+500) to win the Metropolitan Division. Even at their current (+370) number to win the Metro is worth jumping on.
