A strong opening stretch in the NHL season isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity for some franchises, with ten teams facing particular pressure to establish momentum early. The stakes are high, as a slow start could compound challenges already weighing on their rosters and expectations. While every club aims for consistency, these squads may need to prove their competitiveness quickly to avoid falling further behind. The coming weeks will reveal whether they can turn early success into a season-defining foundation.

Every NHL team wants a strong start, but these are the 10 teams that need one  nytimes.com