Six burning questions as PWHL returns: Montreal sell-off, playoff contenders, race for top spot

After another exciting edition of the IIHF Women's World Championship, it's back to a tough time for the professional women's hockey league.

With three weeks to go until the Walter Cup playoffs begin, teams are competing for postseason seeding and just trying to make the playoffs.

Hunter Crowther and Tyler Kuehl addressed a few storylines ahead of Thursday's game:

Who do you like for first place?

When the league restarts, three teams will lead the race for the PWHL championship. Toronto (10-3-0-6) leads the standings with 36 points, one ahead of Minnesota (8-4-3-4) and five ahead of Montreal (7-3-4-5).

Hunter: This may surprise you, but a Toronto writer is going with Toronto to finish first in the league.

Ottawa may have had its 11-game winning streak snapped before the international break, and a rejuvenated Montreal and Minnesota will be sure to steal some points in the final month of the season, but I'm loving Toronto's complete game, counting on another team to eclipse it. they.

Tyler: It will be clear at halftime which team will have the best jump. I'm going to be sneaky and say Minnesota because players like Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Hayes played well at the Women's World. However, Toronto has looked very good over the last couple of months and they have had a lot of members on Team Canada, including PWHL leading scorer Natalie Spooner.

If the Canadian stars can build on their gold medal performance, Troy Ryan's team will be on pace for first place.

Can Marie-Philippe Poulin lift Montreal?

Montreal was once the strongest team in the league. However, the team slipped a bit before the break, losing four games in a row, including losing captain Marie-Philippe Poulin to a lower-body injury. Captain Clutch is back on Team Canada and it took until the gold medal game for him to look like his usual self.

Hunter: It's tough. Poulin did not play in Montreal's last three games because he wanted to be available for Canada at the World Cup. As I write this, I doubt it's 100 percent, let alone 90, or even 80 percent. The combination of a professional and international schedule puts a lot of mileage on a player's body and, with injuries, it may be unfair to ask more of Poulin.

But then again, it's Poulin. He is the best player on the planet. His 70 percent rate is better than almost any player on the planet, and if there was one player in the league who could help his club win its first league title, it would be him.

Tyler: I know everyone around Team Canada is saying he's 100 percent, but let's face it, Poulin looked average for most of the time in Utica. However, he turned it on at the right time, earning him the nickname Captain Clutch.

I agree with Hunter. If Poulin brings 80-90 percent of what we know he can do, it will boost confidence in the rest of the lineup and make Montreal a threat once again and favorites to win the Walter Cup.

Will Ottawa be hot?

After the trade deadline, Ottawa (7-0-6-6) found a winning formula that was elusive during a five-game losing streak early in the season. They won three of their last four games before the break and held onto the fourth and final playoff spot.

Hunter: If you re-read all of my previous PWHL columns or Tyler and I's power rankings, you'll notice a theme in my assessment of Ottawa: less talent, but the hardest working team in the league. They are relentless in searching for the puck, getting to the lane and fighting in the corner. It is truly something to behold.

As mentioned above, they ended Toronto's 11-game winning streak before the international break, and they are looking to build that momentum into the final stretch of the season. They are currently in 4th place, four points behind Montreal. I don't know if they can climb the standings, but I do know that whoever they play will make life uncomfortable for them.

Tyler: Ottawa has the tools to keep things going. You've got a mix of players like Teresa Vanisova, Akane Shiga, and Brianna Jenner who are still in the swing of the game. Daryl Watts will also be new with several key players out during the international break. All of them played a crucial role in their final work.

If Carla McLeod can take anything from the women's world, she can count on either of her two goalkeepers. Emerance Maschmeyer Ottawa's no. There was 1 goalkeeper throughout the season, but Sandra Abstreiter participated in the German national team and became the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Tandem quickly became my best duo in P-dub.

Could Boston or New York sneak into the playoffs?

The two teams sitting outside the PWHL playoff picture are Boston (4-4-2-9) and New York (3-4-3-9). Both teams head into the international break, with Boston losing three of their last four games, including their last against New York on March 25. The win snapped a seven-game season losing streak for New York.

Hunter: If you were to ask me that question personally, I would instinctively respond, as Peter Campbell told Bob Benson, “Not great, Bob!”

Look, Boston and New York are five and seven points behind Ottawa for the fourth and final playoff spot, and nothing in their games will go a long way toward sparking a five-game heater. Along with the rest of the league, they conceded the second and third most goals in the league.

Maybe they can hit the reset button next season and give it another shot. But right now, Toronto, Montreal and Minnesota are just good teams, and Ottawa is in the playoffs.

Tyler: Although seven points in a three-point league isn't insurmountable, my faith in New York has dwindled over the last month. Even with players like Ella Shelton and Alex Carpenter, this team is playing without confidence right now. The only saving grace is that four of their last five games are at home (two at Prudential Center, two at UBS Arena).

How Boston plays against Toronto on Thursday night will be a sign that they have what it takes to catch Ottawa. We know they have the personnel to run and an outstanding goaltender in Aerin Frankel. However, execution for Courtney Kessel's team has not been consistent this season. So I say they can finish in the top four, but if they lose to Ottawa next Wednesday, it could be a curtain call on their hopes.

Will the first seed pick the third or fourth seed in the first round?

Along with the league's “Gold Draft” format for the draft, the PWHL introduced the option to select the third- or fourth-place team in the first round for the regular season champion. The question is, are they?

Hunter: It's tough. Toronto is currently in first place in the league and has an 11-game winning streak at one point. But the team that beat him was Ottawa, and when it comes to head-to-head matchups, Toronto is 1-3-0.

Many people think that the first place team will pick a weak opponent, but in this case, they may avoid their worst opponent.

Tyler: I know people think it's silly to believe that the regular season champion wouldn't pick the lowest seed available. However, don't be surprised if a team like Toronto or Minnesota breaks down the last two playoff teams. For example, if you asked me between Montreal and Ottawa – before the Women's Worlds – I'd pick Montreal.

Variables such as each other's record, who is or isn't on the roster and how well a team is doing in the playoffs all factor into the no. 1 team decision next month.

How loud does it get in Montreal on Saturday night?

The PWHL will host another matchup between Toronto and Montreal at the NHL Arena this coming Saturday night as the rivals meet in the “Duel Above” at the Bell Center. Tickets for the event have been sold out all week, with the game setting a new attendance record for an indoor women's hockey game.

Hunter: Remember how excited Montreal Canadiens fans were when, after years of playoff failures and the COVID-19 pandemic, they couldn't see their favorite residents, but then the team advanced to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning?

It's louder, maybe louder. Quebec has a deep love and respect for women's hockey, as evidenced by loyal fans for the now-defunct professional teams and strong support for Canadian university hockey. When the players take the ice this Saturday, expect a reaction that will make the Battle of Bay Street green with envy.

Tyler: I'm so bummed I didn't get to go to the Battle of Bay Street, I'm even more jealous of those who will be at Center Bell on Saturday night. It's important to remember that Montreal hasn't had a winning team in years, so fans in the area will be eager to see this team on the big stage. These fans know hockey, men or women. You know they're going to bring a ton of energy on Saturday night.

I know PWHL Montreal is different from the Montreal Canadiens, but they have to come out with “Fix You” by Coldplay, right?