Defending PWHL champion Minnesota opens playoffs in rematch vs. Toronto; Montreal faces Ottawa
Toronto Sceptres' Sarah Nurse (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Charge during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Ottawa Charge's Brianne Jenner (19) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Sceptres during the secoond period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Montreal Victoire's Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) watches the puck as Boston Fleet's Lexie Adzija (88) and Victoire's Amanda Boulier (44) battle for it during first-period PWHL hockey game action in Laval, Quebec, Monday, April 28, 2025. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)
Players race to congratulate Minnesota Frost goalie Nicole Hensley (29) on her shutout as they defeat the Ottawa Charge in PWHL action, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Players race to congratulate Minnesota Frost goalie Nicole Hensley (29) on her shutout as they defeat the Ottawa Charge in PWHL action, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Sceptres' Sarah Nurse (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Charge during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Ottawa Charge's Brianne Jenner (19) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Sceptres during the secoond period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Montreal Victoire's Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) watches the puck as Boston Fleet's Lexie Adzija (88) and Victoire's Amanda Boulier (44) battle for it during first-period PWHL hockey game action in Laval, Quebec, Monday, April 28, 2025. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)
Players race to congratulate Minnesota Frost goalie Nicole Hensley (29) on her shutout as they defeat the Ottawa Charge in PWHL action, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Feelings of relief quickly gave way to pride as Kendall Coyne Schofield assessed how the defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost refused to let their PWHL season end with a whimper.
The Frost earned a return to the postseason by winning their final two games to clinch the fourth and final playoff berth by the slimmest of margins in a race Minnesota, Ottawa and Boston — the odd-team out by tiebreaker — finished with 44 points apiece.
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For Coyne Schofield, Minnesota's closing flourish, capped by an 8-1 win at Boston on Saturday, was a reflection of the championship resolve the Frost showed in winning two decisive Game 5s to take the inaugural title.
'We needed to win two games in regulation to get to where we're at today, and we did that,' Coyne Schofield said. 'So I think when I look back to last year, it's just how hard it is to win a five-game series. And to do it twice, I think that for me was unique in itself.'
The Frost have the championship pedigree entering their semifinal series rematch against Toronto opening on Wednesday. The Sceptres as well as the Montreal Victoire, who open against Ottawa on Thursday, carry over the weight of unfinished business following semifinal series losses last year.
And welcome the Charge to the postseason after clinching their first playoff spot on Katerina Mrazova's overtime goal on the last day of the regular season.
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As if there wasn't enough intrigue, the regular-season champion Victoire added another subplot in opting to face third-seeded and regional rival Ottawa rather than the Frost.
'I think there's a lot of spice already. I don't know if we needed more motivation,' Charge captain Brianne Jenner said. 'Yeah, I think it maybe adds a little chip on our shoulder.'
The Victoire reached their decision by consulting with staff and players. One determining factor was geography with Ottawa a mere two-hour drive as opposed to a two-plus-hour flight to St. Paul.
Last year's playoffs proved seedings don't matter. Both lower seeds won their semifinal series, with fourth-seeded Minnesota defeating Boston for the title.
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What stands out in Montreal are the difficult memories of last year's playoffs, in which Boston swept the semis by winning all three games decided in overtime.
'We can talk about last year all we want. Honestly, it was a lesson for all of us,' Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin said. 'Series are hard and that was hard last year. It's going to be harder even this year.'
There's a similar lament in Toronto, with the Sceptres cognizant of how they squandered a 2-0 series lead to Minnesota, which coincided with losing leading scorer and eventual league MVP Natalie Spooner to a knee injury.
'Losing to Minnesota last year in five games is part of what motivated me and makes me even more excited to get this series started,' Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull said.
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Montreal vs. Ottawa
Montreal won the season series 4-2, but lost the final two meetings, including a 3-2 loss on April 26.
The Victoire feature the PWHL's leading goal-scorer in Poulin (19 goals) and top goalie in Ann-Renee Desbiens, who led the league in wins (15-2-2), a 1.86 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. They also allowed the fewest goals (67), while going 14-2-1 in one-goal games. Montreal was the first team to clinch a playoff berth, but didn't secure first place until Toronto's 2-1 OT loss to Ottawa on Saturday.
Ottawa went 4-1 to close the season, and did so without starting goalie Emerance Maschmeyer, who remains sidelined by a lower body injury sustained mid-March. Rookie Gwyneth Philips went 5-3 down the stretch, including a 4-1 closing run in which she allowed just six goals.
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The Charge rely on balanced scoring, and were led by Tereza Vanisova, who had 15 goals, including four game-winners, and 22 points. Ottawa finished tied for last with 71 goals for, and tied for last with 80 goals against.
Toronto vs. Minnesota
The Sceptres went 2-2-2 against the Frost, including a 5-2 loss in their most recent meeting on March 30.
Toronto still finished second in the standings while overcoming injuries to Spooner, Sarah Nurse and Hannah Miller. The injuries led to others stepping up with Daryl Watts leading the team with 12 goals and 27 points. Blueliner Renata Fast continued making her case as one of the PWHL's best defenders with six goals and 22 points while leading all skaters with 739:14 of ice time.
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The Sceptres finished fifth with 73 goals scored, 24 coming on their league-leading power play, which converted 26% of its opportunities.
Minnesota closed the season by winning three of four, and was led by Coyne Schofield's 12 goals and 24 points. The Frost led the league with 85 goals, and have a solid D-core that includes offensive-minded Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson, and a shutdown defender in Lee Stecklein.
As last year, coach Ken Klee split the goaltending duties with Maddie Rooney going 8-7-3 and Nicole Hensley finishing 7-3-1. After closing with two road games, Minnesota elected to stay in Boston in awaiting its semifinal opponent.
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AP Women's Hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
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New York Times
29 minutes ago
- New York Times
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LEON DRAISAITL OPENS THE SCORING IN GAME 1 OF THE #STANLEYCUP FINAL 🚨 🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ — NHL (@NHL) June 5, 2025 'He's always dialled in,' Oilers blueliner Brett Kulak said. 'Sometimes in a big game – Game 1, Stanley Cup Final – it might take you a couple shifts to get into it. But he's locked in and ready to go right from puck drop.' And that was before he scored the overtime winner, his third such goal of the playoffs to tie a record for a single postseason. That power-play goal at 19:29 after passes from Corey Perry and then Connor McDavid almost blew the roof off the arena. 'It's tough to describe,' Draisaitl said of the emotions. 'There were some incredible plays that made easy for me to put that home.' There were so many positive components for the Oilers on Wednesday. That they won and in comeback fashion given how poorly they started last year's Final. That Stuart Skinner was excellent and arguably outplayed counterpart Sergei Bobrovsky. But the way Draisaitl performed is perhaps the aspect that bodes best for their prospects of capturing the Stanley Cup they couldn't quite reach 12 months ago. Advertisement What a difference time has seemed to make for Draisaitl, who had a measly three assists the seven-game series against the Panthers a year ago. That's not to rip Draisaitl's efforts — rib and hand injuries hampered his ability to perform anywhere close to his peak abilities. Few players are completely healthy in the fourth round of the playoffs. But whatever's troubling Draisaitl this go-around, if anything, it's clearly not enough to slow him down. 'It feels good,' Draisaitl said. 'I think that goes for a lot of our guys. Some of our guys got pretty banged up early last year in the playoffs. Sometimes the fatigue seems to set in a little bit quicker. It's nice to feel good and healthy. Hopefully it stays that way.' Part of the reason the Oilers are in better stead, coach Kris Knoblauch has explained, is how much fresher they are now compared to this point in last year's run. They dispatched the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars like a well-oiled machine over the last two series, needing three fewer games through those rounds than they did in 2024. Draisaitl was a major factor in that. There were his offensive exploits to help turn around that opening matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, highlighted by a four-point performance and the overtime marker in Game 4. There was his second extra-time goal in Game 2 against Vegas and the way he contributed to shutting down superstar Jack Eichel. There was how he recorded nine points in five games against the Stars. And then there was Game 1. 'You can't put a number on it,' McDavid said of Draisaitl's contributions through 17 games. 'He's invaluable. Clutch, faceoffs – you name it, he does it. He doesn't get enough respect of credit for his defensive capabilities. 'When he's dug in, there's not many better. Maybe nobody better.' There was no question who the Conn Smythe Trophy winner should have been last season. McDavid had 42 points, including an NHL-record 34 assists. He was one first-place vote shy of winning the playoff MVP award unanimously. Advertisement Draisaitl has, at the very least, made the Conn Smythe a debate if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup – and perhaps even if they don't. He was unquestionably the Oilers' best player in the regular season, won the Rocket Richard Trophy thanks to his 52 goals and was named a Hart Trophy finalist. He set an NHL record with six overtime goals, too. His overtime exploits in the playoffs are just part of a remarkable resume this postseason. His three extra-time goals tie a recorded shared by the Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (2023), Perry (then with Anaheim in 2017), Maurice Richard (1951) and Mel Hill (1939). 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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Blown save: Panthers' 3-year run as NHL's best closers comes to an end in Game 1
EDMONTON — There's no lonelier place to be than a penalty box in overtime, but especially when the power play you put on the ice includes Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Since 2016-17, Draisaitl has been the NHL's overtime king with 19 in the regular season. But in these playoffs, he's been virtually automatic. Advertisement So Wednesday night, when Tomas Nosek was pressured by Vasily Podkolzin and airmailed a puck into the stands for a delay-of-game penalty, the first-year Panther and one of five skaters in Florida's lineup that didn't win a Stanley Cup with the reigning champs last year had to be sick. 'It's a tough break,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after McDavid connected with Draisaitl for his third overtime goal of the playoffs and a 4-3 Oilers win in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. 'So we'll just make sure he doesn't eat alone tonight. He's got lots of people sitting at his table and reminding him how good he's been. It's going to be tough. He's going to eat that one for a day.' Bobrovsky denies Bouchard and then moments later the Oilers head to a power play late in OT 👀 — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2025 Maurice said the Panthers will remind Nosek that they're not here in the Stanley Cup Final if not for his terrific play at even-strength on the fourth line and on the penalty kill in the second round against Toronto. 'We'll remind him of that a whole bunch of times before the puck drops (for Game 2 Friday night),' Maurice said. And the reality is, even though Nosek may have committed the penalty that resulted in Draisaitl's winner, the Panthers lost because they atypically didn't close out a game they at one point led by two goals. The Panthers have been the best closers in playoff hockey under Maurice. Since he took over in 2022-23, the Panthers were 31-0 in the playoffs when leading after the first or second period and 29-0 when leading after two. 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'How many times are we going to say that? It takes everybody, obviously. I thought that whole (Mattias) Janmark line was dangerous all night. I thought they were a big difference-maker, and in overtime, I thought they were the only line that was generating. 'We've got lots of players who are playing well at the right time. All good stuff.' Oilers are 5-0-0 at home this season when Viktor Arvidsson scores — Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 5, 2025 There's no doubt Wednesday's game could have gone either way. Both teams went toe-to-toe in the type of high-octane style that could make this series a long one and certainly a classic. 'There isn't any casualness and there's no BS in either team's game,' Maurice said. 'The pucks go deep that are supposed to go deep. I think we had one all night we didn't like, maybe two all night that we didn't like our decision of the line. They didn't fool around with it, either. It was honest, it was hard, it was fast and it was tight.' Advertisement But after dropping the first three games to Florida last year before rallying to force a Game 7, the Oilers showed how motivated they are to not watch the Panthers celebrate winning a championship against them a second time. 'It's always a little bit of an adjustment between the series with how the other team plays even though you go through the pre-scout,' said third-line winger Eetu Luostarinen. 'The game is a little bit different, so it takes a little bit of time and today we were one goal less.' And the Panthers usually find a way to adjust, get better and learn from their mistakes. Asked what the Panthers learned in Game 1, Bennett said simply, 'I think just not let up. Don't sit back. We've been really good all year at not sitting back with the lead. And for whatever reason, we sat back a little bit. 'It's gonna be a long series. I don't think we expected this to be easy. So you can learn some things from tonight, and then we're just gonna move on.' Added Marchand: 'It's one game. You can't get stuck in the past here. So we'll regroup, refocus and get ready for the next one.'
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Edmonton Oilers defeat Florida Panthers in overtime to take Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final
A Canadian team hasn't lifted the Stanley Cup in almost 32 years and now the Edmonton Oilers are one step closer to breaking that drought after defeating the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime to take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday. Leon Draisaitl secured a feed from Connor McDavid and found the back of the net with just over 30 seconds left in the first extra period to send Oilers fans at Rogers Place and the Moss Pit outside the arena into an excited frenzy. Edmonton got off to a fast start with Draisaitl scoring 66 seconds into the game but the defending Cup champ Panthers did not let that keep them down. Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand each scored in a span of two minutes to give Florida the lead. The 28-year-old Bennett added his second goal of the game early in the second period as the Edmonton crowd, once bursting with excitement, was stunned into silence. Despite an Oilers goal just over a minute later, the Panthers found themselves in a familiar spot – holding a lead through the first two periods. Florida, appearing in its third consecutive Cup Final, was 31-0 when holding a lead at the end of the first or second period in the playoffs under head coach Paul Maurice. Edmonton had other plans of handing the 58-year-old Maurice something he hasn't experienced since trading the cold of Winnipeg for the sunny beaches of south Florida three years ago. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm, playing in only his second game back due to injury, tied it with 13:27 remaining in regulation off a perfect pass from McDavid which would eventually force overtime. Both teams traded scoring chances for most of the extra period, but Panthers winger Tomáš Nosek was called for delay of game after putting the puck over the glass with time winding down. With their two best players on the ice for the ensuing power play, McDavid and Draisaitl did what they do best to secure victory for the Oilers. After the game, Draisaitl – despite having a hard time describing the feeling of scoring the game-winner in a Stanley Cup final series – credited his teammates for setting up the scoring chance. 'You are obviously locked in. Especially on the power play, you're looking to finish it,' Draisaitl told reporters. 'Again, some incredible plays that made it pretty easy for me to put that home. It's a special feeling. It's great for right now but we got to look ahead and get read for Game 2.' McDavid, the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, called his teammate Draisaitl 'invaluable' to the team. 'Does so many good things,' McDavid said. 'Clutch, face-offs, you name it, he does it. Doesn't get enough respect or credit for his defensive abilities. When he's dug in, theres not many better – maybe nobody better.' Edmonton's Game 1 victory marks a stark contrast from last year's final. The Oilers fell into a dreaded 3-0 series deficit before clawing back to force a Game 7 where they suffered heartbreak. The Oilers are looking to become the first Canadian team to win the Cup since the Montreal Canadians in 1993 while the Panthers can be become the first team to win back-to-back Cups since their in-state rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, did so in 2020 and 2021. Game 2 is on Friday before the series shifts to Sunrise, Florida for Games 3 and 4 starting on Sunday.
