Toronto continues their upward trend as the PWHL's most improved team, while other teams have been trending downward in this week's PWHL Power Rankings.
Toronto continues their upward trend as the PWHL's most improved team, while other teams have been trending downward in this week's PWHL Power Rankings.
The PWHL is entering one of their longest breaks in the season with a 10 day gap, following five days off for the NHL All-Star festivities. It marks the official end of the PWHL's opening quarter, and the league remains wide open for any team to emerge on top.
Using recent performances however, some teams are trending up, while others are trending down. Here are The Hockey News' PWHL Power Rankings for the week ending February 4, 2024.
1. Montreal (Last Week: 1)
Another week, another hard fought win for PWHL Montreal. Elaine Chuli continues to provide stellar netminding for Montreal alongside Ann-Renee Desbiens, giving Montreal a chance to win every night. Unlike some teams in the league, Montreal also continues to be paced by national team stars with Erin Ambrose and Marie-Philip Poulin both recording multi-point games, and Laura Stacey scoring the overtime winner. Montreal's lone weakness looks like depth on the blueline, but so far, they're holding their own and keeping Montreal atop the standings.
2. Boston (Last Week: 2)
Boston has put together several solid efforts in a row, and the good news for PWHL Boston is, their youth are really starting to heat up. Whether it's Alina Muller, Sophie Shirley, or Theresa Schafzahl, not only does Boston have a well respected group of veterans, they also have one of the more promising trios up front. Boston is still looking for someone to step forward as their regular goal scorer with Loren Gabel, Hilary Knight, Hannah Brandt, and Jamie Lee Rattray all having quiet periods that Boston can't afford if they hope to win it all, and believe it or not, although many predicted Boston's goaltending tandem to be nearly unbeatable this year, there have been moments of inconsistency, although there have also been moments of brilliance.
3. Toronto (Last Week: 5)
Talk about a meteoric rise. No team has shown the improvement in play that PWHL Toronto has in recent weeks. They looked like a team who would land flat at the bottom of the PWHL's standings, but have since found their groove. The team is thriving off a possession game, and playing physically. Players like Rebecca Leslie, Sam Cogan, and Emma Maltais have been driving play, and forcing turnovers on the forecheck and closing off opponents with intense back pressure before they can get to danger zones. Toronto's ability to clean up their house, has also allowed Kristen Campbell to find some confidence in net. If Toronto keeps the chances out of slot and crease, Campbell has been stopping them. The other key to Toronto's success has been the play of Natalie Spooner. She has been scoring at will, mostly by using her power to get to the net. Kudos to Troy Ryan for setting in place a structure that fits the tools he has on his roster.
4. Minnesota (Last Week: 2)
Opposite to Toronto's rise, Minnesota has been on the decline. They've lost three of their last four games. If you look at Taylor Heise's performance in that stretch, she just hasn't generated the same offense as she did in the opening games in the season. Some of that will be opponents learning her play, and matching up better against her, but if opponents are deploying better match ups against Heise, the rest of Minnesota's roster needs to step up. Heise hasn't scored in her past six games and has just two assists in that stretch.
5. New York (Last Week: 6)
New York showed a lot of resiliency against Ottawa, but there's a lot of inconsistency in their game, and a lack of discipline over the season could wear on them. Corinne Schroeder remains New York's MVP this season, but the play of Alex Carpenter has been inspired as she drives possession and creates opportunities for New York using her speed. One promising piece for New York against Ottawa was they got a bit more balanced contribution from up and down their lineup.
6. Ottawa (Last Week: 3)
Ottawa has played solid hockey, and they've arguably faced more obstacles, and game changing incorrect calls by officials than any other team. The issue in Ottawa is holding a lead. Ottawa was up 3-0 against New York, and New York scored four unanswered to win. The argument here is the game would have been out of reach far sooner had Daryl Watts' goal at the end of the second period counted, as it should have. It's unlikely however, that Carla MacLeod is making many excuses, as a three goal lead should be sufficient, bad calls or not. Sadly, it's not Ottawa's first blown lead. If you want to understand the tightness of the standings, Ottawa may be last, but they're also the only team in the league who has not lost in regulation and with games in hand, they could easily be sitting second if they win their next two games.