Montreal Victoire just sent a message to the rest of the PWHL. By knocking out the Minnesota Frost, they didn't just earn a spot in the finals—they proved that regular-season momentum actually means something in this league. If you've been following the PWHL this year, you know the narrative has been about parity. Anyone can beat anyone. But watching Montreal dismantle Minnesota made it clear that there's a gap between being a contender and being a champion.
The Victoire closed out the series with the kind of clinical efficiency that makes coaches lose sleep. Minnesota didn't play poorly. They didn't fall apart. They simply ran into a wall named Ann-Renée Desbiens and a Montreal offense that knows exactly how to punish a single mistake. This wasn't a fluke win. It was a statement. Don't forget to check out our recent post on this related article.
Why Montreal Victoire Is the Team to Beat
Critics kept waiting for Montreal to slip. They're a team built on veteran leadership and a "bend but don't break" defensive style. Throughout the series against the Frost, Minnesota tried to use their speed to stretch the ice. It didn't work. Montreal's defensive pairs stayed tight, clogging the neutral zone and forcing Minnesota to dump the puck more often than they wanted.
When you look at the shot heat maps from these games, Minnesota stayed on the perimeter. That’s credit to Montreal’s coaching. They forced the Frost to take low-percentage shots. It’s a boring way to win if you love high-scoring shootouts, but it’s how you win trophies. Montreal understands that playoff hockey is about suffocating your opponent until they stop trying to be creative. To read more about the history here, The Athletic provides an in-depth summary.
Marie-Philip Poulin is, as usual, the heartbeat of this group. But it’s the secondary scoring that changed the dynamic here. You can’t just shadow Poulin and expect to win. Players like Laura Stacey and Maureen Murphy are finding lanes that didn't exist two months ago. They’ve evolved.
The Desbiens Factor
We need to talk about Ann-Renée Desbiens. She’s the best big-game goalie in women’s hockey history. Period. Minnesota threw everything they had at her in the final period of the clinching game. She looked bored. Her positioning is so precise that she makes "miracle saves" look like routine plays because she’s already exactly where the puck is going.
Minnesota’s shooters started hesitating. You could see it on the power play. Instead of ripping the puck, they were looking for the extra pass, trying to find a hole that wasn't there. That’s the Desbiens effect. She gets inside your head. When a goalie takes away the top corners of the net, shooters start aiming for the pads, hoping for a rebound that Montreal’s defenders never allow.
Minnesota Frost Had No Answer for Physicality
Minnesota is a fast, skilled team. In a wide-open game, they’re dangerous. But the PWHL playoffs have turned into a literal grind. Montreal realized early on that they could physically bully the Frost. Every time a Minnesota winger tried to cut inside, they got a shoulder to the chest.
The Victoire played a heavy game. They finished every check. By the third period of the final game, the Frost players were looking over their shoulders. That’s how you wear down a skilled opponent. You don't just beat them on the scoreboard; you make them dread the next shift.
Lessons from the Series Defeat
Minnesota's exit isn't a total failure, but it exposes a lack of "Plan B." When their transition game got neutralized, they didn't have a power-forward presence to park in front of the net and create chaos. They kept trying to out-finesse a team that was built to eat finesse for breakfast.
For the Frost to compete at this level next year, they need more grit in their bottom six. Skill wins games in January. Strength wins series in May. Montreal has both. Minnesota only has one.
What This Means for the PWHL Final
Montreal is heading into the final with a ton of confidence. They’ve shown they can win close games, they can win blowouts, and they can win when their stars aren't the ones scoring. That versatility is terrifying for whoever they face next.
The rest of the league should be worried about Montreal’s power play. It was okay during the season. It was lethal against Minnesota. They’ve simplified things. Instead of over-passing, they’re getting the puck to the point and crashing the net. It’s old-school hockey, and it’s working.
Key Matchups to Watch
If you're betting on the finals, watch the matchup between Montreal’s top defensive pair and the opposing team's fastest skaters. Montreal thrives when they can dictate the pace. If an opponent can force them into a track meet, Montreal might struggle. But so far, no one has been able to do that for sixty minutes.
Keep an eye on the injury report, too. Montreal played a very physical series. That takes a toll. They’ve got a few days to recover, but those bruises don't disappear overnight. Their depth will be tested more in the finals than it was against the Frost.
How to Follow the PWHL Finals
Don't miss the puck drop for Game 1. You can catch the action on the PWHL's YouTube channel or local sports networks. Tickets for the Montreal home games are already disappearing. The city is buzzing. This isn't just "women's hockey"—it's elite-level sport that's selling out arenas for a reason.
If you want to understand why Montreal is winning, watch their off-puck movement. Watch how they support each other in the corners. It’s a masterclass in team chemistry. They play for each other.
Clear your schedule for the next two weeks. Montreal is on a mission, and after what they did to Minnesota, I wouldn't bet against them. Grab your jerseys, get to the rink, or settle in on the couch. This is going to be a battle for the ages.
