Sports Interaction Staff
May 8, 2025

2025 PWHL Playoffs Preview: Schedule, Matchups, and Betting Odds

It’s four teams, two best-of-five semifinal series, and a league that’s quickly becoming a fixture on the Canadian sports calendar.

Bet on the PWHL playoffs here.

PWHL Playoff Schedule

Semifinal 1: Montréal (1) vs. Ottawa (3)

Game 1: Thursday, May 8 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Place Bell, Laval
Game 2: Sunday, May 11 – 2:00 p.m. ET – Place Bell, Laval
Game 3: Tuesday, May 13 – 7:00 p.m. ET – TD Place, Ottawa
Game 4: Friday, May 16 – 7:00 p.m. ET – TD Place, Ottawa (if necessary)
Game 5: Sunday, May 18 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Place Bell, Laval (if necessary)

Semifinal 2: Toronto (2) vs. Minnesota (4)

Game 1: Wednesday, May 7 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto
Game 2: Friday, May 9 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto
Game 3: Sunday, May 11 – 6:00 p.m. ET – Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Game 4: Wednesday, May 14 – 7:00 p.m. ET – Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul (if necessary)
Game 5: Saturday, May 17 – Time TBD – Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto (if necessary)

All games will be broadcast on TSN/RDS, Prime Video (Canada), and the PWHL YouTube channel internationally.

Team Breakdowns and Betting Odds

Montréal (1st Seed)

The top team in the regular season earned the right to choose their semifinal opponent—and opted for Ottawa over Minnesota. That’s a bold vote of confidence in their matchup edge.

Why they’re favoured: Marie-Philip Poulin leads the league in goals, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens has been rock solid all year. Montréal finished the season 4–2 against Ottawa.
Betting outlook: Clear favourite to advance. Expect short odds, but puckline bets may offer more value.

Ottawa (3rd Seed)

Ottawa punched their playoff ticket with a 2–1 overtime win over Toronto and now face a Montréal squad that’s beaten them in four of six meetings.

Key storyline: This is Ottawa’s first postseason appearance, and they’re dealing with injuries. That said, Tereza Vanišová and rookie goalie Gwyneth Philips have stepped up in big moments.
Betting outlook: They’ll enter as underdogs, but the value will lie in high-paying moneyline upsets or betting them to win a game or two in a long series.

Toronto (2nd Seed)

The Sceptres have home ice and plenty of motivation after last year’s playoff loss to Minnesota. Sarah Fillier is one of the league’s most dynamic forwards, and their blue line is among the most disciplined.

Why they’re dangerous: Deep, structured, and playoff-tested. This team doesn’t beat itself.
Betting outlook: Expect a tight series, but Toronto should be favoured in most games. Look for plus-money prop angles on Fillier or team totals.

Minnesota (4th Seed)

The defending Walter Cup champions had to claw their way back into the playoff picture, clinching with a statement 8–1 win over Boston on the final day of the season.

X-factor: Playoff experience. No team in the bracket knows how to win under pressure better than Minnesota.
Betting outlook: They’ll be underdogs again, but don’t sleep on them. If they take Game 1, expect serious line movement.

PWHL Futures

Here’s how the field stacks up for Walter Cup futures betting:

Montréal: The betting favourite, thanks to top-end scoring and goaltending.
Toronto: Dangerous contender with home ice and a revenge narrative.
Minnesota: Great value pick for a repeat if they survive the opening round.
Ottawa: Long shot, but a live one. Worth a sprinkle if you believe in miracles.