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PWHL Playoff Preview: Montreal's Bold Choice and Minnesota's Last Dance | PWHL Expansion Prioritizes Player Choice, Moves Away From Traditional Draft | Jamie Nelson Prepares for PWHL Draft; Marie-Philip Poulin Returns | Ottawa Charge Leapfrogs Toronto Sceptres for PWHL Playoff Spot | Aerin Frankel Continues Record-Setting Season with Third Consecutive Shutout | Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: 2026 NCAA Women's Hockey Championship Showdown | PWHL Teams Up with Oak View Group for Sponsorship Sales | Olympic Women’s Hockey: Competitive Pro Leagues Key to Success | Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes Begin Historic PWHL Season | PWHL Playoff Preview: Montreal's Bold Choice and Minnesota's Last Dance | PWHL Expansion Prioritizes Player Choice, Moves Away From Traditional Draft | Jamie Nelson Prepares for PWHL Draft; Marie-Philip Poulin Returns | Ottawa Charge Leapfrogs Toronto Sceptres for PWHL Playoff Spot | Aerin Frankel Continues Record-Setting Season with Third Consecutive Shutout | Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: 2026 NCAA Women's Hockey Championship Showdown | PWHL Teams Up with Oak View Group for Sponsorship Sales | Olympic Women’s Hockey: Competitive Pro Leagues Key to Success | Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes Begin Historic PWHL Season

Womens Hockey / PWHL

PWHL Playoff Preview: Montreal's Bold Choice and Minnesota's Last Dance

The 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs are set to begin, with Montreal choosing to face Minnesota in the first round, while Boston will play Ottawa. This article previews the key matchups, storylines, and how to watch the games.

PWHL playoff preview: Montreal’s bold choice, Minnesota’s last dance, plus how to watch
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PWHL Playoff Preview: Montreal's Bold Choice and Minnesota's Last Dance Image via The New York Times

Key Insights

  • Montreal chose to play against Minnesota, despite Minnesota being the two-time defending champion.
  • Boston will face Ottawa, setting up a potentially exciting goalie duel.
  • Key storylines include how Marie-Philip Poulin's injury will affect Montreal and whether Minnesota can make another playoff run.
  • Minnesota had the league's most potent offense this season, but struggled against top teams like Montreal and Boston.
  • Boston has a strong defensive game, led by goalie Aerin Frankel, and elite talent at every position.

In-Depth Analysis

### Montreal's Bold Choice Montreal's decision to face Minnesota is surprising, given Minnesota's championship pedigree. However, Montreal has dominated their regular-season matchups, outscoring Minnesota 12-3. Goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens set league records for save percentage (.955) and goals-against average (1.11).

### The Rest of the Field The series between Boston and Ottawa features a clash of top goalies. Boston's Aerin Frankel had an outstanding season, while Ottawa's Gwyneth Philips was the star of last year's playoffs. Boston's strong defense and offensive talent make them a favorite, but Ottawa pushed them to overtime or a shootout in all four regular-season meetings.

### Storylines to Watch Marie-Philip Poulin's health is a major concern for Montreal. Despite her injury, she remains a key player. Ottawa's top line of Brianne Jenner and Rebecca Leslie will need to perform against Boston's defense. Minnesota's core group is largely intact, but this could be their last chance for a three-peat if expansion draft rules remain the same.

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FAQ

How can I watch the PWHL playoffs?

In Canada, the Montreal-Minnesota series will be on Prime Video, and Boston-Ottawa will be on TSN. In the US, games will be available through local and regional broadcast partners and on the league's YouTube channel.

When are the games?

Game 1: Ottawa at Boston (April 30), Game 1: Minnesota at Montreal (May 2), Game 2: Ottawa at Boston (May 2), Game 2: Minnesota at Montreal (May 5), Game 3: Montreal at Minnesota (May 7), Game 3: Boston at Ottawa (May 8), Game 4: Boston at Ottawa (May 10).

Takeaways

  • Montreal's choice to play Minnesota adds intrigue to the playoffs.
  • The Boston-Ottawa series is a must-watch for goalie enthusiasts.
  • Poulin's health and Minnesota's potential last dance are key storylines.
  • Tune in to see which teams will advance to the Walter Cup Finals.

Discussion

Do you think Montreal made the right choice in playing Minnesota? Share your thoughts in the comments! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

Sources

PWHL playoff preview: Montreal’s bold choice, Minnesota’s last dance, plus how to watch Minnesota Frost vs. Montreal Victoire playoff series preview: Key players, matchup history, how to watch 2026 PWHL WALTER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE UPDATES | PWHL - Professional Women's Hockey League

Disclaimer

This article was compiled by Yanuki using publicly available data and trending information. The content may summarize or reference third-party sources that have not been independently verified. While we aim to provide timely and accurate insights, the information presented may be incomplete or outdated.

All content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Yanuki makes no representations or warranties regarding the reliability or completeness of the information.

This article may include links to external sources for further context. These links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement.

Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any decisions based on the information presented.

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