NHL 2026-27 Point Totals Betting Guide and Best Futures Picks
The 2026-27 National Hockey League season drops the puck soon, and for the first time ever, we will have a total of 84 games, rather than the usual 82. That means we get 1,344 total NHL games this season. More hockey is always a good thing.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and we'll kick the tires on their point total and see if they're a high or low candidate. There are some up-and-coming teams ready to disrupt the apple cart, and there are also a few teams who failed to live up to expectations last season and should be ready to make a big surge up the standings. Who will be this season's surprise team, similar to the Buffalo Sabres of 2025-26?
If you're an NHL point total bettor, use this as a guide to make some nice money in the upcoming season. Remember, when betting season futures, you're tying that money up until the spring, so shop around, choose wisely, and make it count.
Carolina Hurricanes Point Total (109.5 at FanDuel)
The Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup over the summer for the second time in franchise history. I live outside of Raleigh and occasionally play hockey at the team's practice facility. It was an exciting run through the playoffs and a great time to be a member of the local hockey community. If you're the north, and you don't think Raleigh is a hockey city, you've never been here before.
The parade through the streets of downtown was amazing and packed with Caniacs, and I am glad I got to share the experience with my two sons. However, that's in the rear-view mirror, and the focus is on the 2026-27 season. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour has likely been instilling that mindset into his team at Invisalign Arena since the team reconvened after its individual adventures with the chalice.
A big piece of offseason news is that Seth Jarvis will miss the start of the campaign as he recovers from shoulder surgery. While he feels he is ahead of schedule, it still might be at least another month before he returns, and perhaps that spills into November, or even December.
We saw last season, as the Florida Panthers dealt with a bevy of injuries, that success after a championship isn't a certainty, especially as the grueling playoff run leads to injuries, and it takes a toll.
The Hurricanes also have to hope Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov are able to stay effective for a full season, as that's the goaltender tandem with Frederik Andersen now playing in Edmonton. Alexander Nikishin is not under contract, and he is looking to break the bank, while the Hurricanes haven't yet been able to strike a long-term deal with him. That's also an impasse that could have an effect if it lingers on.
Hurricanes Point Total Best Bet
- Under 109.5 Points (-115 at FanDuel)
Chicago Blackhawks Point Total (79.5 at FanDuel)
The Chicago Blackhawks are holding their breath that Connor Bedard, also recovering from shoulder surgery, isn't sidelined for too much longer. Recently named the new captain, Bedard could also be sidelined into November or December.
Frank Nazar should be the team's top pivot, and that's a huge drop-off, although he was a first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, and he has some nice experience. Anton Frondell, taken No. 3 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, is expected to work with Nazar, giving fans a nice glimpse of the not-so-distant future. Chicago has a nice assortment of young talent, as well as some old faces. Oliver Moore, the team's top prospect, received a big contract extension in the offseason.
Patrick Kane agreed to a two-year deal to return to his original NHL team, receiving an AAV of $8 million. He had his named etched onto the Stanley Cup three times in his first stint with the organization, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013. Expectations are a little different this time around, and he is more of a mentor and elder statesman on this roster littered with prospects and fresh faces.
In net, Chicago could do worse than Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom. Those tandem is back to hold down the fort, and there is no reason with all of its firepower that Chicago shouldn't at least get to 80 points.
Blackhawks Point Total Best Bet
- Over 79.5 Points (-125 at FanDuel)
New York Rangers Point Total (89.5 at FanDuel)
The New York Rangers were an absolute disaster last season. First off, they have to figure out a way to win on home ice, as they were 14-20-7 at Madison Square Garden while occupying the basement of the Metropolitan Division with 77 points.
While the Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline last season, New York has retooled, including picking up Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights in a somewhat underrated move. In addition, Alberts Smits, a defenseman taken No. 5 in the 2026 NHL Draft, might be able to step in and help out immediately.
The team also bolstered the defenseman corps, in addition to Smits, by adding Vladislav Gavrikov and Marcus Pettersson in offseason trades.
Igor Shesterkin had a rough season, and it seems unlikely that he isn't better this season. The supporting cast around him will provide better defense, as well as better offensive support. This number is incredibly low, and I like the Rangers to exceed this total, perhaps flirting with 100 points.
Rangers Point Total Best Bet
- Over 89.5 Points (-111 at FanDuel)
