2025 PWHL Playoffs predictions, storylines and picks
The second edition of the PWHL Playoffs is set to begin on Wednesday night, with four teams all striving to win the Walter Cup.
Our “experts,” Hunter Crowther and Tyler Kuehl, answer some of the burning questions heading into the postseason, and give their picks for which team is going to have the last laugh.
Which team has nothing to lose?
Hunter: I mean, it’s obviously the Charge, right? A group that didn’t see playoff hockey in the PWHL’s first season, and now has a chance to knock off the best team in the league? They also don’t have their starting goalie, relying on the hot hand of a rookie goaltender in Gwyneth Philips. If Montreal won in three games, no one would bat an eye and everyone would say, “Good for Ottawa for getting in the playoffs.” But if they steal a game in Montreal this week? Now we’re talking.
Tyler: I’m doubling down and saying Ottawa as well. While Minnesota technically finished fourth, they are the defending champions – they have a lot more to lose than the plucky underdogs from the nation’s capital. In a way, this team has a lot of similarities to the Ottawa Senators squad from the 2014-15 season. They’re riding the hot hand of rookie goaltender Gwyneth Philips (Andrew Hammond) and quietly have one of the best players in the league in Tereza Vanišová (Erik Karlsson). Did I mention that they’re also playing a team from Montreal in the first round?
Which team has the most to lose?
Hunter: I was leaning toward the Sceptres for this one, but I’m going with the Victoire. Montreal spent most of the season at or near the top spot, and near the end it felt like they were crawling to the playoffs instead of sprinting. Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose: three of arguably the 10 best players on the planet. Can you get more stacked than that? Let’s not forget Montreal was swept in the first round last spring by the Fleet. While I don’t think that will happen again, all the pressure is on them to get out of Round 1.
Tyler: I like Montreal for this question, but the Sceptres are my choice once again. They have everyone back in the lineup – and presumably healthy. They have the firepower with Sarah Nurse and Natalie Spooner, and have an even deeper scoring attack with Daryl Watts. They also have one of the best defenders in the world in Renata Fast. So, yeah, Toronto is going to have tons of pressure, especially with how they collapsed to the eventual Walter Cup Champions. They have a chance to vanquish their demons head-on with another matchup against the Frost.
Who has the money goaltender?
Tyler: If I pick Ann-Renée Desbiens for the second year in a row, will things go more her way? Last year, I thought the Olympic champion was going to be the key reason Montreal was going to go all the way, but then she was outdueled by Boston’s Aerin Frankel. Now, with the Green Monster not even in the playoffs, the path is there for Desbiens to do her thing. Of the goaltenders in these playoffs, none are more proven in big-game situations than the Victoire backstop. If Montreal does the thing, it’s because of No. 35.
Hunter: It’s real simple: If Kristen Campbell plays up to her potential, the Sceptres can get past the defending Walter Cup champions and advance to the final. While her numbers weren’t as flashy as last season, Campbell did have a nine-game stretch this season of allowing two goals or less. Minnesota will try to cause havoc in the Toronto zone, but if Campbell can see the puck, she’s stopping it.
Which player has to step up?
Hunter: While the Charge are the clear underdog in this series, they still have a chance at upsetting the Victoire if their best players play up to their ability. One of those players is Gabbie Hughes, a Patty Kazmaier Award finalist who was once was of college hockey’s best goal scorers. In her rookie season, she finished with nine goals and 12 points in 24 games.
While she’s surpassed her assist total with 11, she only scored five goals this season and hasn’t scored in her last 10 contests. If Ottawa wants to win, Hughes will need to find the scoresheet.
Tyler: Someone who was a standout player (albeit in a limited role) last season, and came out flying this year was Victoire forward Abby Boreen. During the first couple of months, the former Minnesota star was scoring highlight-reel goals and being a key contributor to Montreal’s success. However, over the past couple of months, she’s been almost absent, posting just two assists in the final 15 games of the season. Her ice time has diminished as a result.
Yet, at this point of the season, she has the skills and tenacity to be an x-factor if she can find that confidence she had earlier in 2024-25.
Who wins Montreal vs. Ottawa?
Hunter: The Charge were ecstatic after Katerina Mrazova scored the overtime winner against Toronto last Saturday to send them to the playoffs. I love the energy they’ve shown throughout the year, and I hope they keep it interesting. But Montreal has too much talent and the fear of another disappointing first-round series is too great for the Victoire to let this pass.
Victoire take it 3-1
Tyler: I feel pretty dumb since I had the Charge finishing last in my preseason predictions. Yet, they have been resilient this year. They faced adversity and met it head-on. They’ve been playing playoff hockey for the last couple of months. The confidence they have heading carries them in what is going to be a back-and-forth series. However, guts will prevail over skill.
Give me the Charge, 3-2
Who wins Toronto vs. Minnesota?
Hunter: Minnesota’s decisive 8-1 win over Boston to clinch their spot gives them confidence going into Round 1, but just like the Victoire, the terror of another early exit will light a fire in Toronto that pushes them to the Walter Cup Final.
Give me the Sceptres in a tight one, winning 3-2.
Tyler: After last year’s collapse, there’s no way the Sceptres let it happen again. The injury to Spooner killed their mojo. This year’s Toronto squad is much deeper, and arguably more talented. Kristen Campbell is still solid between the pipes, giving the Sceptres an advantage against a shaky duo of Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley.
I expect the Sceptres to leave no doubt. I’ll take Toronto winning, 3-1
Who wins the Walter Cup?
Hunter: Toronto and Montreal: Hockey’s greatest rivalry, regardless of league. Once again, give me Sceptres in five.
Tyler: A Battle of Ontario for the Walter Cup? Yes, please. I might not be on the same wave-length as Hunter on who they’ll face, but I’ll take the Sceptres in four.