PWHL Power Rankings: Boston Fleet enter 2026 leading the pack
The calendar has flipped to 2026, so it’s time to break out the year’s first PWHL power rankings.
This is also our first power ranking of the season, so we’ll simply begin based solely on the order of the standings. Going forward, we’ll update weekly based on recent team performances in addition to position within the standings.
Let’s dive right in.
1. Boston Fleet
Record: 6-1-0-2
Plus/Minus: +8
League position: 1st
Next game: Jan. 7 vs. SEA
We’re almost two months into the season and Boston sits clearly atop the standings while holding two games in-hand over second-place New York and one game in-hand over third-place Minnesota.
The Fleet lead the league in almost every major statistic, including wins (six), plus/minus (+8) and goals-allowed (15). Special teams has been integral as they boast both the second-best power play (20.8 per cent) and penalty kill (94.7 per cent).
What’s really interesting about this team is defenceman Megan Keller is the only player on the roster in the top-10 of league scoring, with eight points (3G, 5A) in nine games. That’s a sign of depth and depth leads to sustained success.
2. New York Sirens
Record: 5-0-0-5
Plus/Minus: +2
League position: 2nd
Next game: Jan. 16 vs. MIN
New York is gaining momentum as they ride a franchise-best four-game win streak that includes two shutout victories. They remain the only team in the league not to have a game go to overtime, so this is easily a group that could sit atop the standings if they had been gifted a loser point or two.
Kayle Osborne has been key as she leads the league in wins (six), while her .948 save percentage is second-best among goalies with more than one start. Osborne made 31 saves in a 2-0 win against Toronto on Tuesday, tying her with Boston’s Aerin Frankel for most shutouts in the league (three).
There’s still work to be done, but the Sirens look like they’re headed in the right direction.
3. Minnesota Frost
Record: 4-1-2-3
Plus/Minus: +6
League position: 3rd
Next game: Jan. 11 vs. SEA
The two-time defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost are the highest scoring team in the league with 28 goals and a solid plus-six goal differential. They’ve now suffered back-to-back losses, although they managed to salvage a loser point in a 3-2 overtime loss in Montreal on Sunday.
The trio of Kendall Coyen Schofield, Britta Curl-Salemme and Kelly Pannek have driven the offence. Coyne Schofield leads the PWHL in goals (eight) and she is tied with Curl-Salemme (4G, 7A) for the league-lead in points (11), while Pannek is right behind them with 10 points (4G, 6A).
Minnesota has had the toughest travel schedule of any team in the league, so having a week off should help them come out flying when they host Seattle on Sunday.
4. Toronto Sceptres
Record: 4-0-3-3
Plus/Minus: -8
League position: 4th
Next game: Jan. 14 @ BOS
It’s been a rough go for Toronto recently. They ended the year with a brutal 5-1 home loss against Minnesota before starting 2026 off with two more home losses against Seattle and New York.
And the underlying stats don’t point to a team playing above their place in the standings as the Sceptres’ minus-8 goal differential is tied with Vancouver for dead last in the PWHL.
Despite having a solid goaltending tandem with Raygan Kirk (.930 SV) and Elaine Chuli (.921 SV), the results just haven’t been there for Toronto. They now have a week to reset before they hit the road for a tough test in Boston.
5. Montreal Victoire
Record: 3-2-0-4
Plus/Minus: +5
League position: 5th
Next game: Jan. 11 vs. VAN
Marie-Philip Poulin scored a patented overtime winner against Minnesota on Sunday, snapping a three-game losing streak for Montreal. It was a bad run for the Victoire, who were largely the better team in the three losses, including outshooting New York 47-21 in a 4-3 road loss.
You can’t talk about this team without highlighting Poulin. An Olympic hero for Canada, Poulin is tied for the league scoring lead with 11 points (5G, 6A) and she’s combined with Abby Roque (4G, 6A) and Laura Stacey (2G, 5A) to form arguably the most dangerous line in the league.
The concern for Montreal is the lack of depth outside of Poulin’s line. They won’t go far come playoff time if the rest of the group doesn’t step up.
6. Seattle Torrent
Record: 3-1-1-3
Plus/Minus: -1
League position: 6th
Next game: Jan. 7 @ BOS
Seattle is in a three-way tie with Vancouver and Ottawa for last place in the league, but the standings are deceptive. The Torrent have two games in-hand on both the Goldeneyes and Charge and they’ve played the least amount of games in the league.
The line of Alex Carpenter (5G, 2A), Julia Gosling (4G, 4A) and Hilary Knight (1G, 6A) leads a well balanced attack that has received contributions from throughout the lineup.
If you go by points percentage, Seattle would actually sit in a playoff spot right now. However, they’re currently on a four-game road trip that will be crucial for their season. The Torrent have split the first two games, but they have a chance to officially move into a playoff spot if they can win in Boston on Wednesday and Minnesota on Sunday.
7. Vancouver Goldeneyes
Record: 3-1-1-5
Plus/Minus: -8
League position: 7th
Next game: Jan. 9 @ OTT
Vancouver gutted out a tough 4-3 comeback win against Boston at the Takeover Tour in Detroit on Saturday, but it’s clearly been a disappointing year for the expansion team.
The Goldeneyes have scored the second-least goals in the league this season (19) and they’ve allowed the third-most (27), tying them with Toronto for a league-worst minus-eight goal differential.
It’s been a huge hit for this team having Sarah Nurse, who scored the first goal in franchise history, limited to one game due to injury. The team will have to figure things out as Nurse is reportedly still weeks away from returning, which will also scare Hockey Canada with the Olympics on the horizon.
8. Ottawa Charge
Record: 2-3-0-5
Plus/Minus: -4
League position: 8th
Next game: Jan. 9 vs. VAN
Ottawa has managed just two regulation wins to this point, but their perfect 3-0 record in overtime has helped avoid disaster. The team is trending upward on a four-game win streak which includes two victories over Minnesota and one over Boston.
The Charge have been saved by their league-leading power play, which is clicking at a 24.1 per cent success rate. Brianne Jenner has been the catalyst, sitting one point back of the league-lead with 10 (5G, 5A).
Things are certainly looking up for Ottawa, who can set a new franchise record for longest win streak when they host Vancouver on Friday.
