Series schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m. Eastern, at Montréal (Place Bell)
Game 2: Sunday, May 11, 2 p.m., at Montréal (Place Bell)
Game 3: Tuesday, May 13, 7 p.m. Eastern, at Ottawa (TD Place)
Game 4*: Friday, May 16, 7 p.m. Eastern, at Ottawa (TD Place)
Game 5*: Sunday, May 11, 7 p.m. Eastern, at Montréal (Place Bell)
*if necessary
Watch in Canada: TSN/RDS
Watch outside of Canada: PWHL YouTube Channel
Broadcast team: The series between Montréal and Ottawa will be on TSN and RDS with Kenzie Lalonde calling play-by-play, analyst Cheryl Pounder and reporter Kelly Greig providing live coverage in English.
Claudine Douville (Play-by-Play), Isabelle Leclaire (Analyst), Catherine Savoie (Reporter), Andrée-Anne Barbeau (Studio Host) and Karell Émard (Studio Analyst) will be the team providing live coverage in French.
The story so far
Here I am once again, discussing the powerhouse Montréal Victoire. Yes, I am a hater. I can accept and agree that the Victoire are at the top of their game, the top of the league, and a team with multiple elite scorers and a top-two goaltender. These are facts.
Also a fact? I am a little tired of them and I would love for Ottawa to be the one to stop the unstoppable force. Or whatever the saying is.
I absolutely love an underdog. I also love star-of-our-hearts Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer, and every win since she was placed on LTIR has been in her honor. In my heart.
Montréal took the season series 4-2, and every Victoire home game was a win. The Victoire scored 15 goals against Ottawa, but only five were at Ottawa’s home rink. Similarly, of the 12 goals Ottawa scored against Montréal, only five were at Montréal’s home rink.
That’s not a small home rink advantage, in my opinion. Will that be a factor this postseason?
We’ve assumed that Montréal chose Ottawa partially for its closer geographical proximity compared to Minnesota. Whatever went into their “thoughtful discussions,” I think they’re underestimating the Ottawa Charge. Ottawa is unpredictable and they don’t appear to have a ton of structure. This could be difficult to scout, which may work to Ottawa’s advantage.
Of course, yes, Ann-Renée Desbiens is the best goaltender in the league. Maybe the world.
But Gwyneth Phillips took over the number one netminder role for the Charge when Maschmeyer was placed on LTIR mid-March. She earned a shutout in her third start—the first rookie goaltender in PWHL history to earn a shutout in her first professional season. She’s played 15 games, including another shutout. And, she had a great showing at 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championships when she entered the U.S. vs Canada gold medal game after (Boston Fleet goaltender) Aerin Frankel was injured, stopping 17 of 18 shots. Team USA took home the gold.
This is a goalie who, hopefully, can continue to step up in big moments.
Of course, yes, Montréal captain Marie-Philip Poulin is the best scorer in the league. Maybe the world. I’m not going to list all of her accolades, because you know them. She’s captain clutch.
But I want to talk about Tereza Vanišová. The Ottawa forward leads her team in points (22) and goals (15). Vanišová was also part of the PWHL’s first fight back in February against Boston’s Jill Saulnier. She’s recorded six multi-point games this season and three multi-goal games including two hat tricks. She’s an offensive threat.
Also? She won bronze medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. And she’s a three-time Isobel Cup winner.
Am I obsessed with her? Yes. We all are.
Charge forward Shiann Darkangelo also notched a hat trick this season and put up three multi-point performances this season. She’s a two-time Isobel Cup winner and won gold for Team USA at the 2016 World Championships.
Forwards Gabbie Hughes and Emily Clark also added four multi-point performances each to Ottawa’s scoresheet. Clark won Olympic gold and silver for Canada in 2022 and 2018 respectively. Hughes won gold with Team USA at the 2023 World Championships.
In all likelihood, Montréal will dominate this series. But maybe…
Predictions
We want an upset. Obviously.
Liz: I think I am picking Montreal but I want to pick Ottawa cos I think it would be HILARIOUS. But honestly it feels like Montréal’s Cup to lose. Especially with Desbiens back.
Sam: Yes, and I would love for them to lose it.
Nicole: We all really want it for Ottawa, so we’re manifesting.
Liz: In that case, CHARGE IN FIVE BABEEEEEEE.
Sam: Charge in five!
Liz: WIN IT FOR MASCH.
(Photo: PWHL)
