Florence Hamel
Writer
Photo credits: Credits: PWHL
The PWHL playoffs are right around the corner, here's what you need to know about the Montréal Victoire.
Another thrilling season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is coming to a close, and if you haven’t been following yet, let me fill you in.
The PWHL is the top women’s hockey league in the world, packed with elite talent, and Montréal has quickly become one of its biggest stories. While the final playoff spot is still being fought over by the reigning Walter Cup champions, the Minnesota Frost, and the Ottawa Charge, the Montréal Victoire has already made its mark, becoming the first team to clinch a playoff spot.
General Manager Danielle Sauvageau built a powerhouse during the offseason. Starting with a core of superstars like Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose, and Ann-Renée Desbiens, she added fresh talent such as Abby Boreen, Jennifer Gardiner, and Cayla Barnes. The roster became faster, deeper, and even more dangerous.
The stars have delivered in a big way:
From the very first puck drop, Montréal set the tone for a special year. With a new team name, fresh jerseys, a home at Place Bell, and a roaring crowd behind them, how couldn't they? The Victoire overwhelmed opponents with their speed and aggressiveness and found ways to win tight games, often thanks to elite goaltending.
Young players like Boreen, Gardiner, and Barnes added an extra gear, making Montréal not just good, but consistently threatening.
However, no season is without its bumps. Recently, the Victoire hit a rough patch, losing seven of their last nine games and struggling to generate offence. Desbiens has often played the hero, keeping them alive with her unparalleled goaltending. Still, if they want to make a deep playoff run, they'll need their offensive dominance to return quickly.
Regardless of the final stretch, it’s clear: Montréal has built something truly special a team that’s fast, physical, talented, and built to compete for years to come.
After spending time away from home and struggling through a rough patch, Monday's matchup against the Boston Fleet was the perfect opportunity for the Victoire to change the narrative. They seized it, securing a much-needed 3–2 overtime victory on home ice. Jennifer Gardiner and Catherine Dubois each scored on the power play to create the lead, but with this rivalry, no game is ever truly over, it’s almost expected that the Fleet and Victoire find their way to overtime. Boston stormed back with two late goals in the third to tie it up, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. That’s when Laura Stacey stepped up, playing the overtime hero (again) and denying Boston the chance to clinch their playoff spot.
Beyond the impact on the standings, this win felt especially meaningful for the Victoire, providing a huge boost after the tough stretch they had been battling through, and hopefully giving them the momentum they need heading into the playoffs.
As the crowd went crazy during the on-ice interview, Poulin, after thanking the fans, captured the spirit of the night perfectly with a simple but powerful message: "On va l'avoir!" ("We're going to get it!").
There’s still unfinished business. With the Toronto Sceptres making a late playoff push, every win is critical. Securing the top seed is crucial because under PWHL rules, the first-place team gets to choose its first-round playoff opponent (either the 3rd or 4th seed), a massive strategic advantage.
To lock in the top seed, Montréal needs to win its final regular-season game:
The playoffs begin in early May, and the Montréal Victoire is right in the thick of the race for their first Walter Cup in franchise history. Montréal hockey fans, you’re going to want to be part of this ride!
The odds of the Montréal Victoire winning the Walter Cup are currently at 3.25/1 on Mise-O-Jeu, which is a huge value pick for those betting on PWHL action this season. Make sure to use this link before April 30th if you would like to receive 50$ as well as our HFTV x MOJ mini-stick for FREE when you open an account with Mise-O-Jeu.
Catch Saturday's game live on CBC, or stream it on the PWHL website.
The Montreal Victoire have officially clinched their spot after getting it done at Place Bell. But they’re not done yet, with first place still in reach and a chance to control who they face next.
Florence Hamel
April 1, 2026
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Florence Hamel
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