The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) playoffs are finally here, kicking off on Thursday, April 30, with a thrilling first-round matchup. The No. 2 seed Boston Fleet will travel to face the No. 4 seed Ottawa Charge—but don't let the seeding confuse you. In the PWHL, the top seed gets to choose its first-round opponent, and the No. 1-seeded Montréal Victoire opted to take on the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost (the No. 3 seed), setting the stage for an intense postseason battle.
Montréal has been dominant all season, finishing first for the second straight year and making the playoffs for the third consecutive season. They swept their head-to-head season series against the Frost, winning all four games—including two in overtime—and posted a strong 3-1 record against the Charge. The Victoire are riding high, but the Frost are hungry for a three-peat after defeating Ottawa in four games to claim the Walter Cup last season.
Both semifinal series are best-of-five, with the winners advancing to the finals (also best-of-five) for a shot at the championship. Here's everything you need to know about each playoff team and the schedule ahead.
Montréal Victoire (No. 1 seed)
The Victoire are stacked, led by goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, who won Goaltender of the Year last season and has been unstoppable this year with a league-leading 19 victories, a 1.11 goals-against average, and a .955 save percentage. Up front, Abby Roque—in her first season with Montréal after two years with the New York franchise—leads the team in scoring with 22 points. With a mix of elite defense and offensive firepower, the Victoire are the team to beat.
Minnesota Frost (No. 3 seed)
The two-time defending champions know what it takes to win in the postseason. Despite a tougher season series against Montréal, the Frost have championship pedigree and a deep roster that thrives under pressure. They'll need to find a way to solve Desbiens if they want to keep their dynasty alive.
Boston Fleet (No. 2 seed)
Boston has been a consistent force all season, earning the right to choose their path—but they'll have to go through Ottawa on the road first. The Fleet boast a balanced attack and a stingy defense, making them a dangerous opponent for any team in the playoffs.
Ottawa Charge (No. 4 seed)
The Charge are looking to avenge last year's finals loss to Minnesota. They've shown resilience all season and have home-ice advantage for the first round. With a chip on their shoulder and a hungry roster, Ottawa could be this year's Cinderella story.
The PWHL playoffs are set to deliver high-stakes hockey, top-tier talent, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the league, this is the perfect time to gear up and show your support for women's hockey.