Everything You Need to Know About the PWHL 🏒

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has been breaking records all season long, and now it’s time for the inaugural playoffs to begin! We’ve teamed up with PWHL expert Chanel Keenan to get you up to speed for the playoffs. 

Thanks to the efforts of women’s players, the iconic Billie Jean King, and the Mark Walter Group, the PWHL launched in January 2024 with six teams. With only four spots in the first-ever postseason, Boston, Montreal, Minnesota, and Toronto are all vying for the Walter Cup.

How to Watch 📺

Streaming is available on the PWHL YouTube channel for residents of the U.S. and other countries. In Canada, games will be broadcast on TSN Sports.

First Round Match-Ups 📅

PWHL Toronto vs PWHL Minnesota

🗓️ Wednesday, May 8 

⏰ 7 PM ET

📍Coca Cola Coliseum, Toronto

PWHL Montréal vs PWHL Boston

🗓️ Thursday, May 9

 ⏰ 7 PM ET

📍Place Bell, Quebec

PWHL Boston

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: Forward Alina Müller has been a shining breakout star — let’s see how she does in the bright playoff lights.

Player to Watch: Aerin Frankel has been the queen of the crease and a true difference-maker in the goal for Boston.

PWHL Toronto

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: Every time Toronto has needed consistency and resiliency, forward Natalie Spooner has stepped up. 

Player to Watch: Sarah Nurse (forward) is known for her ability to pop off under pressure.

PWHL Boston

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: Forward Alina Müller has been a shining breakout star — let’s see how she does in the bright playoff lights.

Player to Watch: Aerin Frankel has been the queen of the crease and a true difference-maker in the goal for Boston.

PWHL Toronto

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: Every time Toronto has needed consistency and resiliency, forward Natalie Spooner has stepped up. 

Player to Watch: Sarah Nurse (forward) is known for her ability to pop off under pressure.

PWHL Montréal

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: Forward Marie-Philip Poulin, Canadian Olympic royalty, is now set to represent Montréal after a historic first season.

Player to Watch: Goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens looks to add a Walter Cup to her collection of medals, which already includes one silver and two gold Olympic medals.

PWHL Minnesota

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: It may be an obvious answer, but Kendall Coyne-Schofield is a living legend who embraces all her roles on the ice. 

Player to Watch: Grace Zumwinkle has been bringing the fire and fits on and off the ice for Minnesota.

PWHL Montréal

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: Forward Marie-Philip Poulin, Canadian Olympic royalty, is now set to represent Montréal after a historic first season.

Player to Watch: Goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens looks to add a Walter Cup to her collection of medals, which already includes one silver and two gold Olympic medals.

PWHL Minnesota

Playoffs: IN

Key Player: It may be an obvious answer, but Kendall Coyne-Schofield is a living legend who embraces all her roles on the ice. 

Player to Watch: Grace Zumwinkle has been bringing the fire and fits on and off the ice for Minnesota.

PWHL Ottawa

Playoffs: OUT

Season Recap: A squad full of strong personalities that couldn’t flourish on the ice yet, but it will be interesting to see what this team looks like next season.

PWHL New York

Playoffs: OUT

Season Recap: A squad full of strong personalities that couldn’t flourish on the ice yet, but it will be interesting to see what this team looks like next season.

PWHL Ottawa

Playoffs: OUT

Season Recap: A squad full of strong personalities that couldn’t flourish on the ice yet, but it will be interesting to see what this team looks like next season.

PWHL New York

Playoffs: OUT

Season Recap: A squad full of strong personalities that couldn’t flourish on the ice yet, but it will be interesting to see what this team looks like next season.

Everyone Watches Women's Hockey 🎟️

The PWHL broke so many attendance records in its first season that it was almost hard to keep track. On April 20th, the game between PWHL Montréal and PWHL Toronto drew 21,105 fans — the most attendees for a women’s hockey game in world history. 

Looking Ahead 👀

The Gold Plan, aka ‘Draft Order of Selection by Mathematical Elimination,' prevents “tanking” or purposely losing to ensure better draft positioning. The plan ensures that each eliminated team receives points toward the draft order.

The 2024 PWHL Draft will take place in Minnesota this June, where teams will select 42 new players into the league.

Find Your Perfect Match 💯

Want to know which PWHL Playoff team you’ll love watching? We’ve got you covered. Take the quiz HERE.

About Chanel Keenan ✨

Chanel is a part-time inclusion consultant and a full-time fan of the PWHL. Though her physical disability prevented her from playing, she fell in love with sports over 10 years ago and has built her career advising sports organizations. Follow Chanel on Instagram and X to keep up with her incredible work.