QMJHL Playoffs Pulse Check: First Round
Mooseheads' Jacob Steinman making a desparation save on the Voltigeurs (Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron)Now two games into the first round of the 2024-25 QMHL playoffs, it's time to take a look at where teams are heading.
No. 5 Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2) - No. 11 Acadie-Bathurst Titan (0)
As it stands, it would appear that the Acadie-Bathurst Titan are on pace to finish their series and time in the QMJHL at home -- with the next three games set to play in Bathurst. The team has been able to withstand Chicoutimi's top offensive firepower from the most part, with goaltender Josh Fleming posting a .907 save percentage over 54 shots so far. If they can find a way to generate some offense, the series could potentially not be lost. However, they'll need to find a way to break goaltender Raphael Precourt -- who stands at a .959 save percentage so far.
Game 3: @ Acadie-Bathurst - 2025/04/01 at 6 PM ET
Game 4: @ Acadie-Bathurst - 2025/04/02 at 6 PM ET
Game 5: @ Acadie-Bathurst - 2025/04/04 at 6 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Chicoutimi - 2025/04/07 at 7 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Chicoutimi - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 7 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (2) - No. 9 Cape Breton Eagles (0)
Baie-Comeau goaltender Lucas Beckman (2025 NHL draft prospect) has been outstanding this regular season, and it appears he's only elevated his game in the playoffs. Rocking a .958 save percentage across 72 shots so far, even Cape Breton's head coach Louis Robitaille gave props to Beckman -- denouncing him as the Drakkar's best player over the past two games. The key to the Eagles' bouncing back at home is production from their star players -- including New Jersey Devils prospect right winger Cam Squires (0+0 over 2), overager Joey Henneberry (0+0 over 2), Utah Hockey Club prospect defenseman Tomas Lavoie (0+0 over 2) and overager Jacob Newcombe (0+1 over 2).
As for Baie-Comeau, they can potentially secure the series close-out with the continued success of Beckman -- alongside the 'arrivals' of star player New Jersey Devils prospect centerman Matyas Melovsky. Regardless, their play has been impressive given the injuries to key pieces such as Justin Poirier (Carolina Hurricanes prospect), Alexis Bernier (Seattle Kraken prospect) and deadline addition Alexis Michaud,
Game 3: @ Cape Breton- 2025/04/01 at 6 PM ET
Game 4: @ Cape Breton - 2025/04/02 at 6 PM ET
Game 5: @ Cape Breton - 2025/04/04 at 6 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Baie-Comeau - 2025/04/07 at 7 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Baie-Comeau - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 3 Drummondville Voltigeurs (0) - No. 16 Halifax Mooseheads (2)
The Moncton Wildcats must be pretty nervous after seeing just how well Jacob Steinman has been playing against the defending QMJHL champion Drummondville Voltigeurs. Stopping 78 over 82 for a .951 save percentage, he's one of the biggest reasons why the Mooseheads are not only in this series -- but winning it. Alongside him, trade deadline addition Quinn Kennedy has continued his hot run into the playoffs -- proving to be a key driver offensively for the young squad.
As for the Voltigeurs, they have faced a reality check at home by not treating the Mooseheads of worthy competition. While Louis-Felix Charrois is a very serviceable goaltender, Mercer should've been given the keys to the castle given his dominant playoff run last season. As such, they are now down two and will play the next three games on the road in one of the most packed barns in the Q.
Game 3: @ Halifax - 2025/04/01 at 6 PM ET
Game 4: @ Halifax - 2025/04/02 at 6 PM ET
Game 5: @ Halifax - 2025/04/04 at 6 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Drummondville - 2025/04/07 at 7 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Drummondville - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 2 Rimouski Océanic (2) vs No. 12 Charlottetown Islanders (0)
If one thing was clear from the first two games, Charlottetown and Rimouski are not the same planet this season. While Rimouski is letting goaltender William Lacelle rest first round, their 16 goals across the first two games would indicate that the team is not taking this series lightly by any means. Overager Jacob Mathieu has been the most dominant player with five goals and three assists over the two games so far.
Game 3: @ Charlottetown - 2025/04/01 at 6 PM ET
Game 4: @ Charlottetown - 2025/04/02 at 6 PM ET
Game 5: @ Charlottetown - 2025/04/04 at 6 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Rimouski - 2025/04/07 at 7 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Rimouski - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 1 Moncton Wildcats (2) vs No. 14 Quebec Remparts (0)
Going into this series against the Remparts with 15 wins in a row, it was a surprise to see the Wildcats stumble their way into their first win -- a 4-3 overtime decision. In the second game, the team decided to play Red Wings prospect Rudy Guimond instead of overager Mathis Rousseau, and Guimond went on to post a shutout. As such, it will be interesting to see if the Wildcats continue to rotate their tandem or potentially let Guimond take the reigns for the series, and ultimately the playoffs as a whole.
Game 3: @ Quebec - 2025/04/01 at 7 PM ET
Game 4: @ Quebec - 2025/04/02 at 7 PM ET
Game 5: @ Quebec - 2025/04/04 at 7 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Moncton - 2025/04/07 at 6 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Moncton - 2025/04/08 at 6 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 6 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2) vs No. 15 Gatineau Olympiques (0)
The Gatineau Olympiques were able to secure a 40 year streak of playoff berths, but now are seemingly struggling to withstand the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, whose combination of offensive might and goaltending prowess has stumped them so far. Last game the team held the Huskies back to just two goals, so it is possible that they could squeeze out a game or two at home -- but, the Olympiques would need to keep resisting the Huskies' forward core and also ignite the scoring of their own. If they can't seem to get the fire going by next game, it could spell the end of the series.
Game 3: @ Gatineau - 2025/04/01 at 7 PM ET
Game 4: @ Gatineau - 2025/04/02 at 7 PM ET
Game 5: @ Rouyn-Noranda - 2025/04/04 at 7 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Gatineau - 2025/04/06 at 3 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Rouyn-Noranda - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 4 Shawinigan Cataractes (2) vs No. 13 Val-d'Or Foreurs (0)
Led by Calgary Flames first rounder, forward Matvei Gridin (1+4), the Shawinigan Cataractes have looked very strong over the first two games in their series against the Val-d'Or Foreurs. Of note, the Cataractes have been able to stuff all of the Foreurs seven power plays so far as well as stifle the team's offense 5-on-5. As such, it feels as though the Cataractes quickly found the key to unlock this series and are one foot out the door.
Game 3: @ Val-d'Or - 2025/04/01 at 7 PM ET
Game 4: @ Val-d'Or - 2025/04/02 at 7 PM ET
Game 5: @ Val-d'Or - 2025/04/04 at 7 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Shawinigan - 2025/04/07 at 7 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Shawinigan - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
No. 8 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (1) vs No. 10 Sherbrooke Phoenix (1)
After shutting down Blainville to start the playoffs, the Phoenix fell to them in game 2, just 3-2. Now, tied a piece -- the series can go either way. Sherbrooke's goaltender Linards Feldbergs has been steady over the past two games with a .933 save percentage -- while also boasting clutch performances at the World Juniors and also starting for the Latvian league championship team last season. Meanwhile, Blainville's Felix Hamel had a rough entrance to the playoffs but cleaned up his act nicely in the second game, stoppin 31 of 33.
Rather favouring consistency over peaks and valley's, Sherbrooke might have more momentum going into this stretch of games at home despite the recent loss. It'll take some big games from Blainville's stars like 2025 draft prospects Justin Carbonneau and Mateo Nobert, as well as import Egor Goriunov to swing things back into their favour.
Game 3: @ Sherbrooke - 2025/04/01 at 7 PM ET
Game 4: @ Sherbrooke - 2025/04/02 at 7 PM ET
Game 5: @ Blainville - 2025/04/04 at 7:30 PM ET*
Game 6: @ Sherbrooke - 2025/04/06 at 3 PM ET*
Game 7: @ Blainville - 2025/04/08 at 7 PM ET*
* if necessary
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