(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Blake Schuster: Over. The Ducks finished with 76 points last season and their emerging core should be able to get them four more this time around. Especially in a Western Conference that doesn’t boast a ton of contenders.

Mary Clarke: Over. Another year of Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry in a weak Western Conference should be enough to push the Ducks over 80 points this season.

Charles Curtis: Over. I’m intrigued by steps forward the young core will take.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. I think the Pacific Division is tough and that young group still needs more time to grow.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. Look, this might be wishful thinking because the reality is I want the Coyotes to absolutely crush it in a 2,000-seat stadium to the point where they never leave. Make it the league’s most-absurd home-ice advantage.

Our house. #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/znRuPyJlkZ

— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) September 23, 2022

Mary Clarke: Under. Look, the Coyotes are bad and, if you recall, lost Phil Kessel in free agency this summer! Expect another tragic year for the Coyotes.

Charles Curtis: Under. And how sad is that?

Jordan Tomiyama: Under: Be Bad for Connor Bedard

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Blake Schuster: Under. This is a pretty beat-up roster to start the year, and as long as they remain in playoff contention, expect quite a few maintenance days throughout the season.

Mary Clarke: Under. The East should be a bit more even than it was last year, meaning the Bruins can’t take easy wins off of teams like Ottawa or Detroit anymore.

Charles Curtis: Under. Hitting nearly 100 points with this roster in a tough conference feels tough.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. I know the gang is back together but I think their conference is tougher and it will be tough for them to surpass that number.

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Blake Schuster: Over. Dear god I think they might make the playoffs this year—especially if they can swing a midseason trade for Patrick Kane (more on that later).

Mary Clarke: Over. Owen Power will get his first real taste of NHL action this season and the Sabres will take a small, but important, first step forward in their new era.

Charles Curtis: Over. The Bills are amazing and the Sabres might hit 80-plus points? Buffalo FTW!

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. If they can get Patrick Kane.. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

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Blake Schuster: Under. The Flames finished with 111 points last season. That’s good! Calgary hasn’t had back-to-back seasons over 100 points since 1987-1989. That’s bad. The Flames won the Cup in 1989, though, so if I’m wrong here it likely means they’ll be too drunk off champagne to remember.

Mary Clarke: Over. The Flames won’t lose a step without Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk and will continue to be one of the best teams in the West.

Charles Curtis: Under. I think losing those two big stars will mean they go under but still make the postseason.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. I think they’re a better team than they were last year and Darryl Sutter is the best press conference in the game.

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. Though 102 feel about right for this squad.

Mary Clarke: Under. The Hurricanes are a great team and will easily make the playoffs, but they’ll have competition again in the Metropolitan Division.

Charles Curtis: Over … but by a hair!

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. The storm surge is overrated.

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Blake Schuster: Under. Anything but securing a top-three pick this year is pretty much a failed season. The organization is committed to a long-term rebuild and that probably means any parts that can be sold off this year, will be—starting with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, who should be gone before the deadline. But don’t take it from me. Here’s what first-year head coach Luke Richardson had to say:

“Success for this team might be a different meaning for us and fans and you guys. But I think as long as it's trickling upward … those are the signs of a team growing.”

—Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson pic.twitter.com/8Pv7P136tk

— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) September 21, 2022

Mary Clarke: Under. Kane and Toews are likely out the door this season and the rest of the team is a shell of its former self.

Charles Curtis: Under. The sound you hear is the clock ticking on Kane and Toews trades.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. The Blackhawks and Coyotes will be competing for Connor Bedard

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Under. Just a teeny, tiny bit of regression. A typical slow-start due to a Stanley Cup hangover, but nothing to worry about. The Avs could easily win it all again this year.

Mary Clarke: Over. The Avalanche are the best team in the West even with their offseason departures. I don’t see anyone coming close to their level in the regular season.

Charles Curtis: Over. No such thing as a Stanley Cup hangover (just ask the Lightning).

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. Losing Nazem Kadri hurts and I think they’ll regress a bit.

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Blake Schuster: Over. 80-ish points feels about right for this team after adding Johnny Gaudreau and Erik Gudbranson, but I’m not convinced it gets them into the playoffs just yet.

Mary Clarke: Over. Gaudreau was a huge get for Columbus and even if he doesn’t have a monster season like last year, his presence will keep the Blue Jackets competitive at the very least.

Charles Curtis: Under. I’m going to be risky here, but something doesn’t feel complete with this roster even with Gadreau. Maybe I’m worried about the goaltending.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over.  I think this is a bold bet but the Gaudreau signing will be massive for this team.

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Schuster: Under. One of the oldest rosters in the league (average age 28.21 years old).

Mary Clarke: Under. With last year’s leading scorer Jason Robertson still unsigned, the Stars are looking at a rough start ahead of them to begin the season.

Charles Curtis: Under. I’m with my colleagues here.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. I’m not going against the squad here.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Under. You could make the case that every team in the Atlantic Division got better this offseason except for Detroit. Still rebuilding.

Mary Clarke: Under. But I do think the Red Wings got better! It’s just that they’re in the toughest division in the NHL and still rebuilding. The future is starting to look a lot brighter in Detroit.

Charles Curtis: Under. I think the Red Wings are going to surprise enough that they hit JUST under this, though.

Jordan Tomiyama Under. I think Steve Yzerman did an amazing job this offseason and they have promising young talent!

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake: Over. Just look at that roster. Look at it! My god.

Mary Clarke: Over. Connor McDavid will continue to do Connor McDavid things. Enough said.

Charles Curtis: Over. Easy money.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. Connor McDavid is the best player in the world.

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Blake Schuster: Under. A new head coach (their third in a year) and a few roster changes have me expecting some growing pains.

Mary Clarke: Under. Tkachuk was a great pick up but I still think the Panthers overpaid big time and lost too many key pieces so they’ll take a step back this year.

Charles Curtis: Over. They’re still good.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. I think they’ll regress this season while adjusting to a newer coach/roster.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Schuster: Under. I’m just not sold that last year wasn’t a fluke and getting to 97 points is a big ask in a pretty loaded Pacific Division.

Mary Clarke: Under. I’m high on the future of the Kings and Kevin Fiala will be a boon to this offense, but the Pacific won’t be as easy to capitalize on this season.

Charles Curtis: Under. Feels like they’re falling back to Earth this year.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. They’ll struggle in a stacked Pacific Division

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. Way over. In fact, I’m taking the Wild to win the Central.

Mary Clarke: Under. I’m not as high on the Wild! Kirill Kaprizov’s a stud but Fiala’s loss can’t be understated here.

Charles Curtis: Over. This team is so damn balanced and I just might put money on this one so I can watch Kaprizov play more.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. I’m trusting Kirill Kaprizov and his dynamic talent.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. Especially if they can get more out of Kirby Dach than Chicago could.

Mary Clarke: Over. The Canadiens will be better this year, but don’t mistake this pick for suggesting they’ll be in the playoffs. This team has a long way to go before then.

Charles Curtis: Under. Welcome to the rebuild. It might be a rough year.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. This team is young and I think they’ll still struggle in the Eastern Conference.

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Blake Schuster: Under. But not by much. A fourth-place finish in the Central seems likely.

Mary Clarke: Under. Juuse Saros is one of the best goaltenders in the league but the rest of the team has yet to wow me.

Charles Curtis: Under. Yep, what they said.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. Juuse Saros won’t be able to save this team.

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Blake Schuster: Under. This team reached 63 points last year. I can’t seem them reaching 90 after a mild offseason.

Mary Clarke: Under. The Devils are all-time underperformers in recent history. Don’t trust them until they give you a reason to do so!

Charles Curtis: Under. I guess there’ll be improvement from Jack Hughes and Co. but not THAT much.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. 90 points is STEEP. I don’t think they reach that total.

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Under. This line seems like a bit of an over-reaction to a weird team last year.

Mary Clarke: Over. Even without Barry Trotz, the Islanders will bounce back big time from their disaster of a season last year.

Charles Curtis: Over. I think last year was a fluke!

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. This offseason was a disaster and no Barry Trotz!

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. I’m all in on this Rangers team.

Mary Clarke: Over. If Igor Shesterkin continues to shine in net, the Rangers very well could be the best team in the Metropolitan Division this season.

Charles Curtis: Over. Thought about reverse-jinxing it so my favorite team can get to like 115 points but NOPE.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. Igor Shersterkin is a stud and this team is very talented up front.

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. This line feels like a trap, but I don’t care. This Sens team is going to be incredibly fun.

Mary Clarke: Over. Count me in on the Senators love. This team is a stealthy playoff contender if a team like Boston or Florida falter this season.

Charles Curtis: Over. Just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean you should avoid it.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. I think they had a great offseason and this team is built to be competitive this year.

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Blake Schuster: Over. This is such a low bar that Torts should be able to clear it before his team turns on him.

Mary Clarke: Under. Even John Tortorella can’t save this team.

Charles Curtis: Under. Welp.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. Sorry Mary

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Schuster: Under. But not by much for the second-oldest roster in the league.

Mary Clarke: Under. The band’s all back together for a few more kicks at the can, but I suspect the Penguins will sit at 100 points by the time the season ends.

Charles Curtis: Over. By like one win.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. Putting my trust in Sidney Crosby.

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. The Sharks finished with 77 points last year and that sounds about right this year, too.

Mary Clarke: Under. There’s nothing exciting about this stagnant Sharks team and I feel like they’ll take a step back this season.

Charles Curtis: Under. I don’t see how they get even that high.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. This team is full-on rebuilding.

(Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) ORG XMIT: GMH122

Blake Schuster: Over. It’s time to unleash them.

Mary Clarke: Over. Count me among the Kraken hopeful for their first playoff run of their NHL lifespan.

Charles Curtis: Over. That’s a really nice number to surpass in Year 2.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. They’ll rebound from a subpar first year.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. By a hair, because they’re the third-best team in the Central.

Mary Clarke: Over. But if Jordan Binnington doesn’t get his groove back, watch out.

Charles Curtis: Over. But I’m not touching this one, it’s right on the mark.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. I think it goes over but barely.

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Blake Schuster: Over. This is a championship-caliber team until it proves otherwise.

Mary Clarke: Over. Don’t be surprised if the Lightning are competing for a Stanley Cup again come June. They’re just that good.

Charles Curtis: Over. They’re still elite.

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. Not betting against this squad.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Blake Schuster: Over. I don’t think they get to 115 again this year, but the Leafs hit 100 without issue so long as they stay healthy.

Mary Clarke: Over. The regular season is just a waiting game for the Maple Leafs at this point, because their true test will come in the first round once again.

Charles Curtis: Over. Now, when do I get to bet on how far they get in the playoffs?

Jordan Tomiyama: Over. Goaltending may be sketchy but this team is too good not to go over.

Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Schuster: Over. They hit 92 points last season and return almost the same roster.

Mary Clarke: Over. A full season of Bruce Boudreau should do the Canucks wonders.

Charles Curtis: Over. I LOVE this team.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. Speaking as a Calgarian, I have to say under.

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Over. A full year of healthy Jack Eichel is the difference-maker.

Mary Clarke: Over. Even with terrible injury luck following them into this season, Eichel is healthy and ready to go. Expect the Golden Knights to be back in the playoffs.

Charles Curtis: Over. A rebound will happen.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. Don’t trust this goaltending whatsoever

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Under. The oldest roster in the league. They’re a playoff team, but not a near-100-point team.

Mary Clarke: Under. Alex Ovechkin may hit 50 goals once again, but the Capitals feel like a prime candidate to take a step back this season.

Charles Curtis: Under. I think they make the postseason though.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. I think they’re good enough to make the playoffs but not go over this win total.

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Blake Schuster: Under. Way under. Like dumpster fire season under. Case-in-point:

pic.twitter.com/VF7Uwrtefg

— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) September 16, 2022

Mary Clarke: Under. This Jets locker room is fractured, even with the leadership changes, and I don’t expect it to be fixed until players are moved out.

Charles Curtis: Under. They’ll get closer than we think.

Jordan Tomiyama: Under. This team is a mess and it could be selling season at the trade deadline.