The Columbus Blue Jackets led the NHL last season with a 23-point increase in their team points total from the 2023/24 campaign. The Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals had points increases of 20+ as well.
So, which National Hockey League teams will have put up the highest year-over-year points total increases at the end of the 2025/26 season?
With the league’s regular-season schedule getting underway this week it’s a good time to look at which teams are set to most improve their positions compared to last season.
To that end, we present below the theoretical odds on which NHL team will have the highest year-over-year points increase in the upcoming season, discussing three favorites plus a sleeper team for the title.
“It’s the Sharks that have the most runway to work with – they were the only team to finish with less than 60 points last season”
To come up with the theoretical odds board listed below we’ve compared last season’s points total for each team in the NHL against various hockey experts’ projected points total for each team for 2025/26.
The odds displayed are purely speculative and intended for entertainment purposes only.
NHL Highest Year-Over-Year Points Increase Odds Analysis
San Jose Sharks | +300 | Implied Probability: 25.00%
You’ll notice a trend in the favorites on this theoretical odds list – the top teams are all coming off weak 2024/25 campaigns.
The Sharks picked up just 52 points last season, ending up dead last in the NHL with only 20 wins in 82 games including an ugly 0-7-3 stretch to finish out the year.
San Jose isn’t expected to challenge for a playoff spot this year, but even an increase to a modest 70 points with a youthful core led by a progressing Macklin Celebrini would be an 18-point improvement. That makes them the favorite here.
Nashville Predators | +500 | Implied Probability: 16.67%
It was surprising that the Predators had the third-worst record in the NHL last season as Nashville put up just 68 points – that was a 31-point decline from the 99-point campaign they turned in back in 2023/24.
Which performance was the better indicator of the quality of Nashville’s roster? Even if the answer falls somewhere in the middle that could still lead to a 15-20 point improvement, good enough for second spot.
Buffalo Sabres | +700 | Implied Probability: 12.50%
The Sabres were supposed to take a big step forward last season, but instead fell from 84 points in 2023/24 to 79 points.
Buffalo has a pair of legit stars in forward Tage Thompson and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, and they’ll be looking for development from the likes of Owen Power, Jack Quinn, and Jiri Kulich in the season ahead.
If that happens, and their goaltending stabilizes, a 15ish-point improvement could beckon.
NHL Highest Year-Over-Year Points Increase Odds Sleeper
Edmonton Oilers | +1500 | Implied Probability: 6.25%
Unlike the Sharks, Predators, and Sabres, the Oilers turned in a strong regular-season campaign in 2024/25, ending up with 101 points.
Still, Edmonton just took care of a major distraction by signing superstar captain Connor McDavid to a two-year contract extension and will be extremely motivated this season after losing the Stanley Cup final the last two years.
A monster campaign is not out of the question.
NHL Highest Year-Over-Year Points Increase Odds: Sharks enter the season as favorites
The Winnipeg Jets had the highest points total in the NHL last season at 116. The Oilers reaching that level would give them a 15-point improvement and make them a contender on these theoretical odds to have the NHL’s highest year-over-year points increase. Doable, but probably less likely than a lower team rising.
While the Predators and Sabres, along with such teams as the Blackhawks and Rangers, could all increase their point totals this year after some lacklustre campaigns in 2024/25, it’s the Sharks that have the most runway to work with – they were the only team to finish with less than 60 points last season.
The Sharks enters the season as favorites on these theoretical odds. Their youth will decide if they pay out.
Disclaimer: The odds displayed for entertainment, political, and other non-sporting events on this page are purely speculative and intended for entertainment purposes only. These are not real betting markets offered by licensed operators. Please note that the odds above have been generated by Oddspedia for this article only. They are not necessarily reflective of the actual probability of the event occurring and it is not possible to place a wager on this event through Oddspedia. Any implied probabilities derived from these odds are not based on professional bookmaking standards and should not be used for actual wagering decisions. Please gamble responsibly with licensed provide
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