The path to last year’s Div. 1 girls hockey state title, all the way through a triple-overtime instant classic at TD Garden, challenged St. Mary’s of Lynn at every turn. Three of its five tournament games were decided by one score, and the Spartans needed golden goals in the state semifinals and the state final to outlast a loaded field.

The year was chaotic. And what we’re left with now is a slew of programs hungrier than ever, feeling they were a bounce or two away from better results.

Notre Dame Academy of Hingham ranks high, returning a premier attack in search of a return to the state final. Forwards Sarah White, Emily Coughlin, Caroline Hartnett, Josselyn Gray and Chase Harmon all stand out, and senior Morgan Brady returns from Tilton Academy to bolster them. The Cougars skate three dangerous lines and expect the defense to step up in front of talented goalie Erin Kral.

Alongside them is Archbishop Williams, which returned almost everyone from its overtime loss to St. Mary’s in the Final Four. Seniors Caroline Batchelder and Shea Nolan are premier forwards within a complete team that stacks up to anyone.

Hingham feels ready to break past consecutive state quarterfinal exits, anchored by All-Scholastic scoring duo Caroline Doherty and Addy Garrity, standout defensemen Shea Richardson and CC Flynn, and depth. Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading does, too, which returns premier senior goalie Alyse Mutti, league MVP Ava Buckley, and a wealth of experience. It’s also boosted by the return of transfer defenseman Chloe Gromko to pair with fellow standout Leah Buckley.

Malden Catholic showcases an elite defense behind Ava Baker and Morgan Donegan, and the senior-laden group has depth around top forwards Alyssa Jankowski, Abbie Poole and Brianna Donegan. Standout senior goalie Felix Goeckel returns for a promising Pope Francis group with excellent chemistry, also led by defenseman Sarah Tatro and forwards Giada Musa and Cam Rogowski.

Never count out St. Mary’s, which returns eight of its top forwards. Alyssa Norden and Keira Twomey are signature threats, and Megan Donato returns in net. Blue-liners Brenna Vitelli, Claire Griffith and Isabel Cox are key for Bishop Feehan in another promising campaign, as is returning goalie Aviva Olitsky, and forwards Chloe Bryda and Georgia Murray.

The MVC/DCL Large again figures to be a blood bath. This could be the year for HPNA with a top goalie in Julianna Taylor, a top defenseman in Paige Nottingham, scoring weapons Gabby Locke, Quinn Bennett, Mia Kmiec and Kendall LaRiviere all back, and legitimate depth. Methuen/Tewksbury is a main competitor, loaded on defense through MJ Petisce, Lyla Chapman, Sarah Doherty, Liv Lawrence and goaltender Lydia Barnes.

After a rebuild last year, Billerica/Chelmsford contends with the return of goalie Hailey Graybeal, Giovanna Gulinello and Kara Gambale. Lincoln-Sudbury reloaded nicely, bolstered by top forwards Ally Quinn and Emerson Acquaviva, a deep defensive group, and goalie Suki ten Brinke.

Ava Enright and Phoebe Niese are back on a high-powered blue line for Boston Latin in its first year in the MVC/DCL Large, as well as standout sophomore forwards Angela Wells, Estelle Corbitt and Riley Porter. Shrewsbury’s top line of Lauren Albertson, Allie Martel and Blaire Fay help it stay competitive. Andover will be tough in Jon Hutcheon’s first year as coach, and Westford Academy features a strong returning group of sophomores.

Reading added promising freshmen to a large returning core in the tight Middlesex League Liberty title race. Seniors Gianna Bonfilio (forward), Katie McKinnon (forward) and Libby Quinn (defense) help make it a threat come March. Winchester returns 16 players, with top firepower Josie Chang, Chloe Goldberg, Junie McCabe and Ellie Parks all back in front of goalie Claire Zhang.

Arlington returns many pieces to also contend. Reigning league champion Belmont could make some noise too, backed by returning goalie Jil Costa.

Wellesley only graduated three, and Natick looks strong early on out of the Bay State Conference. Winthrop benefits from a tougher nonleague schedule and the returns of standout goalie Riley Towse, senior forward Talia Martucci, promising juniors around her, and an experienced defensive group.

The title race in Div. 2 wasn’t as wide open as Div. 1 last year, and that remains the case this time around. But anything can happen in hockey.

Two-time defending state champion Duxbury looks primed for a three-peat even after losing signature talent. Five of its top six forwards are back, with All-Scholastic Zoey Madigan, Megan Carney, Addy Harrington and Maeve Gallagher all ranking among the state’s bests. Sami Norton and Alannah Gallagher anchor a tough blue line, and the Dragons expect senior Carina Perry to perform well in her first year starting.

They’ll have to outlast Algonquin again, which is hungry after giving Duxbury fits in last year’s state semifinals. Senior captain Lauren O’Malley anchors a formidable defense in front of returning standout goalie Addy Cagan, while sophomore sensation Ariya Tice and junior Maddie Glynn will be forwards to watch alongside seniors Annie Biagini and Betsy Bertonazzi.

Nauset looks dangerous by returning all of its potent attack. Junior 100-point scorer Gaby Bassett, Carly Brand, Sophia Boucher, Julia Kipperman and Emily Decker will be hard to keep up with. Falmouth’s own potent attack will be key for a hopeful return to the state final, as Casey Roth, Riley Devlin, Hailey Ferreira and Maeve Turner are all back. Estelle Duffany and Hadley Vieira lead a revamped defense that lost premier talent.

Sandwich will challenge both in the Cape and Islands League and beyond. Defense is a major strength behind longtime starter Darby Rounseville, Emma Itri, Callie Kent and goalie Bryce Sawyer, while a deep attack looks set to make the next step.

Milton looks to build on last year’s trip to the Elite Eight, returning top forwards Molly Murphy, Megan Carew and Sabrina Stone. Maggie Mullen and Mairin Hart stand out on defense. Walpole and Needham will be major competitors in the conference.

Burlington returns a large nucleus from last year’s strong campaign, cut short in the state quarterfinals. Woburn didn’t graduate anyone as a sleeper to watch out for.

Morgan Murphy is back in net for Marshfield after helping lead it to the state semifinals last year, as well as senior forward Kayla Leonard and junior forward Sarah McIntyre. Defense will be a strong point for Pembroke. Canton welcomes new coach Marissa Massaro to a group always in the mix. Look for Westwood, King Philip and Dedham to all be competitive as well.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FORWARDS

Gaby Bassett, Nauset

Caroline Batchelder, Archbishop Williams

Morgan Brady, Notre Dame Academy (H)

Chloe Bryda, Bishop Feehan, Forward

Caroline Doherty, Hingham

Addy Harrington, Duxbury

Zoey Madigan, Duxbury

Shea Nolan, Archbishop Williams

Casey Roth, Falmouth

Arya Tice, Algonquin

Sarah White, NDA (H)

DEFENSE

Ava Baker, Malden Catholic

Ava Enright, Boston Latin

Maggie Mullen, Milton

Sami Norton, Duxbury

Paige Nottingham, HPNA

MJ Petisce, Methuen/Tewksbury

Shea Richardson, Hingham

Darby Rounseville, Sandwich

GOALIES

Lydia Barnes, Methuen/Tewksbury

Addy Cagan, Algonquin

Felix Goeckel, Pope Francis

Hailey Graybeal, Billerica/Chelmsford

Alyse Mutti, Peabody/Lynnf./N.R.

Julianna Taylor, HPNA