{"time":1776106275369,"blocks":[{"id":"4KAl-XaUm-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"With three teams already clinched, the PWHL playoff race has narrowed to a single, high-stakes battle — and after a pivotal weekend, the Ottawa Charge now hold the inside track."}},{"id":"hV3HRO2yHB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The PWHL playoff picture has clarified at the top and intensified at the bottom."}},{"id":"kflkcS6JAF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Montreal, Boston, and Minnesota have officially clinched postseason berths, leaving just one spot remaining — and a three-team race to claim it."}},{"id":"c6DOdajiMh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Ottawa now leads that race with 36 points, followed by Toronto at 34 and New York at 31. With only a handful of games remaining, the schedule ensures the outcome will be decided head-to-head."}},{"id":"ySHeJbg9OL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Ottawa’s regulation win over Toronto delivered a direct three-point swing, lifting the Charge into fourth place while denying the Sceptres a chance to create separation. Combined with an earlier regulation loss to Seattle, Ottawa’s week could have gone the other way — but instead, they emerge in control of their own path."}},{"id":"y-hFC86OH3","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"New York, meanwhile, lost ground with a regulation defeat to Minnesota, limiting their ability to climb without help."}},{"id":"toPNQS--vs","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"At the top of the standings, the race for first is still very much alive between Montreal and Boston, even with both teams already clinched. Montreal currently holds a slight edge, but Boston has an extra game in hand and a direct matchup still to come — a game that could ultimately decide the regular-season title. Both teams also face playoff-bound Minnesota, adding another layer of difficulty down the stretch. "}},{"id":"lbmA4120N8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Minnesota, meanwhile, has secured its spot but sits a tier below in points, making a jump to first unlikely without help. The most probable outcome is a tight finish between Montreal and Boston, with their head-to-head meeting serving as the swing game for who claims the top seed."}},{"id":"QXnPRyx3h0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In true PWHL fashion, the structure of the remaining schedule will keep everyone alive right until the end."}},{"id":"5xCfDz34Nw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Ottawa’s final three games include matchups against New York and Toronto, along with a test against Boston. Toronto plays New York twice and closes the season against Ottawa, while New York faces both teams ahead of them before finishing against Boston."}},{"id":"EpD0RzGZYQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In total, four of the remaining games directly involve the three teams competing for the final spot, creating essentially elimination games."}},{"id":"O1ku1aXUlc","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In the PWHL’s 3-2-1 points system, regulation wins carry outsized weight — not only adding three points, but denying the opponent any return. Overtime results, by contrast, tend to keep teams within reach of each other, a dynamic that has defined much of this race."}},{"id":"MfgWOHk9Nw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"For Ottawa, the path is now straightforward. A win over New York would create immediate separation, and two wins in their final three games — depending on how they come — could be enough to secure fourth place."}},{"id":"AIwA4POtVU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Toronto’s position is more precarious."}},{"id":"mT9DJvxQaq","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"With four games remaining, the Sceptres likely need multiple wins, including at least one against New York, to regain ground. Their season finale against Ottawa could ultimately serve as a play-in game, depending on how the standings evolve."}},{"id":"_5bxIOhtIj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"New York faces the steepest climb, but remains alive."}},{"id":"8nuOwVsS2m","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Sirens still play both Toronto and Ottawa, giving them a direct path back into contention. However, with no margin for error and a closing matchup against Boston, they likely need a near-perfect finish."}},{"id":"gtyRLrQUXF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The final playoff spot will not be decided by what happens elsewhere in the standings. It will be decided in the games these teams play against each other — and who can deliver when the margin for error disappears."}},{"id":"ARZOqADtyX","type":"image","data":{"caption":"PWHL Standings","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ff356431-7a8a-4e4f-9b13-3ff61139be21.png","width":2040,"height":718}}},{"id":"5JtCTi8yMY","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Projected Cut Line 40–42 points"}},{"id":"R9ck1JhSgm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"What each team likely needs:"}},{"id":"DP76Jmhjpg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Ottawa"}},{"id":"1gc8dFCE-v","type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","meta":{},"items":[{"content":"\n2 wins in 3 games likely enough\n","meta":{},"items":[]},{"content":"\nWin vs New York = biggest swing game\n","meta":{},"items":[]},{"content":"\nCan afford one loss, but not two regulation losses\n","meta":{},"items":[]}]}},{"id":"ayAh_l-KcH","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Toronto"}},{"id":"c9lSEvSQkd","type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","meta":{},"items":[{"content":"\nLikely needs 3 wins in 4\n","meta":{},"items":[]},{"content":"\nMust take points off New York (twice)\n","meta":{},"items":[]},{"content":"\nFinal game vs Ottawa could decide everything\n","meta":{},"items":[]}]}},{"id":"8KVGJuPcGu","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"New York"}},{"id":"Z37_Lw5fzJ","type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","meta":{},"items":[{"content":"\nNeeds 3–4 wins in 4\n","meta":{},"items":[]},{"content":"\nMust beat both Toronto and Ottawa\n","meta":{},"items":[]},{"content":"\nNo margin for error\n","meta":{},"items":[]}]}},{"id":"Z7cUbkRFLK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"\nToronto vs Ottawa (Final Weekend)\n
Could be a straight win-and-in game"}},{"id":"fM_-k0YxHn","type":"delimiter","data":{}},{"id":"7H54lr8loX","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Follow C Benwell on X @gamedayhky on YouTube @gamedayhockey and on Instagram @gamedayhky "}}],"version":"2.31.5"}

More Than Meets The Eye For Casey Borgiel