The landscape around the professional women’s hockey circuit has been defined by change and questions, but two franchises managed to carve out rare certainty heading into the postseason and offseason. The PWHL‘s regular season ended with the Montreal Victoire earning the top seed and the right to select who they would face in the opening round, while the Vancouver Goldeneyes walked away with the top slot in the entry draft after collecting points under the league’s Gold Plan.
Those results have immediate implications: Montreal’s choice determines its own bracket path and affects the second-seeded Boston Fleet, and Vancouver’s draft position gives it control over the first pick in every round. Both outcomes are particularly meaningful given the looming changes from free agency and potential expansion that leave many roster plans unresolved.
Why Montreal chose Minnesota
Finishing first gave Montreal an unusual strategic tool: the ability to name its first-round opponent. After reviewing their internal evaluation process, head coach Kori Cheverie and the staff opted for the Minnesota Frost, the back-to-back Walter Cup champions. The Victoire sealed the top seed with a 2-1 shootout win over the Seattle Torrent, and the staff weighed multiple factors — not solely regular-season head-to-head results — when arriving at the decision.
Montreal went undefeated against Minnesota in the regular season, though two of those victories required overtime, underscoring how tightly contested the matchups were. The pick also shifted who the Boston Fleet would face; by naming Minnesota, Montreal ensured Boston’s opponent would be the club it had greater difficulty defeating this season. The selection echoes a similar choice last year that produced a different result: Montreal selected the Ottawa Charge previously and lost that series 3-1.
Playoff schedule and immediate matchups
The opening game between Montreal and Minnesota is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET, with Game 2 set for Tuesday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Boston will host Game 1 of its series versus Ottawa on Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by Game 2 on Saturday at 7 p.m. Coaches and players on all four playoff teams voiced readiness to begin, treating the matchups as competitive tests rather than conveniences created by seeding rules.
Vancouver’s draft certainty and the Caroline Harvey factor
The Goldeneyes reached the top of the Gold Plan standings by continuing to compete after being eliminated from playoff contention, collecting points for each victory. That approach delivered the franchise the prized right to pick first in the upcoming entry draft. General manager Cara Gardner Morey praised her players for fighting for every point down the stretch, emphasizing how those wins translated into a major strategic advantage.
Vancouver’s decision-making centers on the projected top prospect, defender Caroline Harvey, who arrives with a résumé that includes three NCAA championships with the Wisconsin Badgers, the Patty Kazmaier Award, two world championships with the United States program, and an Olympic gold medal where she was named tournament MVP in February. Having a generational talent available at first overall gives Vancouver a clear building block while broader roster movement remains unresolved.
Roster volatility: free agency and expansion
Complicating every front office plan are the many upcoming roster decisions. A notable group of players, including Vancouver standouts Claire Thompson and Sarah Nurse, are slated for free agency, and several teams expect to be affected by expansion. Players say they need more information before making long-term choices; as Sarah Nurse put it, clarity from the league is the missing piece as individuals weigh their next moves.
Toronto’s offseason questions and league-wide stakes
The Toronto Sceptres fell short of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons after a 3-0 loss to Ottawa in the finale. Toronto has lost key contributors to previous expansion and free agency waves and now faces its own roster turnover, with prominent names such as captain Blayre Turnbull, forward Daryl Watts, and defender Renata Fast becoming free agents. Several players expressed a desire to remain in Toronto but described the current lack of detail about expansion rules as nerve wracking.
League leadership has discussed adding four more teams to reach a 12-club structure, a number they view as helpful for securing U.S. broadcast deals and broader corporate partnerships. That expansion could provide greater roster stability — enabling longer contracts and multi-year development projects — a point emphasized by Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury as a potential advantage for coaching staffs and player development.
There is little mystery about the short-term facts: Montreal will open the playoffs against Minnesota, Vancouver will hold the first overall pick in the draft, and several franchises face big offseason decisions. Beyond those certainties, the coming weeks will determine how the PWHL’s next chapter takes shape as teams, players and executives seek the information they need to plan.
