The Vancouver Goldeneyes travel east to face the Toronto Sceptres in what promises to be a charged matchup, marking the first-ever meeting between these two teams. As an expansion franchise in the 2025-26 season, Vancouver has shown flashes of potential but struggled with consistency, while Toronto aims to leverage their home-ice advantage in a marquee event. This game, dubbed the “Battle on Bay Street” presented by Scotiabank, highlights an emerging rivalry fueled by Vancouver poaching key players from Toronto’s roster during the offseason. With both teams hovering in the lower half of the standings and the Olympic break looming, expect a gritty, low-scoring affair as players vie for momentum heading into international play.
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Puckdrop is scheduled for 3:00 PM EST (12:00 PM PST)
Broadcast: In Canada on TSN/Sportsnet ONE; internationally on the PWHL YouTube channel and thepwhl.com. This venue, home to the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, has hosted sold-out PWHL games in the past, drawing crowds over 19,000 and setting attendance records for the league.
Recent Team Forms
Both squads are coming off losses and looking to snap short skids before the Olympic hiatus. Vancouver has struggled offensively, averaging just 1.8 goals per game while allowing 2.7. Toronto mirrors the low output at 1.8 goals scored but has been slightly better defensively, conceding 2.5 per game.
Vancouver Goldeneyes: Last 5 games: 1-1-0-3 (4 points). They dropped a 1-0 shutout to the Montréal Victoire on January 11, highlighting their defensive solidity but offensive woes—goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 25 of 26 shots in a strong performance. Prior to that, they suffered a 4-2 loss but earned points in overtime scenarios earlier in the month. The team has gone 0-3-0-0 since star forward Sarah Nurse’s injury in November but gets a boost with her return. Streak: 0-0-0-2 (two regulation losses).
Toronto Sceptres: Last 5 games: 1-0-1-3 (4 points). They fell 2-1 to the Boston Fleet on January 14, managing only 22 shots in a penalty-filled game where forward Emma Maltais scored their lone goal late.
Before that, they split results with a win over New York but overtime losses to Ottawa and Minnesota. Toronto has been undisciplined, taking six penalties in their last outing, but their penalty kill ranks at 83.3%. Streak: 0-0-0-1 (one regulation loss).
Overall, the PWHL’s low-scoring nature (league average around 2.3 goals per game) has defined both teams’ forms, with defenses carrying the load amid offensive inconsistencies.
Series History
This is the inaugural head-to-head matchup between Vancouver and Toronto, as Vancouver joined the PWHL as an expansion team for the 2025-26 season.
No prior games mean no historical data, but tension is high due to offseason moves: Vancouver signed several key ex-Sceptres players, including defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques, effectively “dismantling” Toronto’s blue line.
This has created an instant rivalry, with Toronto eager to prove a point at home.
Injury Report
Injuries have been minimal heading into this game, but Vancouver gets a major reinforcement.
Vancouver Goldeneyes: Forward Sarah Nurse (arm) has been activated from long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and is expected to play. She suffered the injury in Vancouver’s season opener in November and hasn’t suited up since, missing 11 games.
No other reported injuries; the team is otherwise healthy, with Nurse’s return providing a timely boost ahead of the Olympics.
Toronto Sceptres: No reported injuries. The roster is at full strength, though forward Jesse Compher took multiple penalties in their last game, potentially indicating fatigue or rust.
Both teams have players named to Olympic rosters (e.g., five from Vancouver for Canada), so health management is key with the Milano Cortina Games approaching.
Key
Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles, particularly with ex-Sceptres now in Vancouver jerseys. Expect low shot volumes (both teams average around 23-26 shots per game) and physical play.
Key Offensive Matchup: Sarah Nurse (VAN) vs. Toronto’s Defense: Nurse, returning from injury, faces her former team for the first time. The 31-year-old Canadian Olympian is a speedy forward with playmaking ability; she’ll test Toronto’s rebuilt blue line, which has struggled without Thompson and Jaques (now her teammates). Nurse could line up on Vancouver’s top line with Jenn Gardiner.
Defensive Battle: Claire Thompson & Sophie Jaques (VAN) vs. Emma Maltais & Daryl Watts (TOR): Thompson leads Vancouver with 7 points (3G, 4A), while Jaques tops the team in ice time and goals (3G).
They’ll aim to shut down Toronto’s forwards like Maltais (recent goal-scorer) and Watts (known for drawing penalties). Toronto’s power play is a weak 8.3%, so Vancouver’s 92.3% penalty kill could dominate if discipline falters.
Goaltending Duel: Emerance Maschmeyer (VAN) vs. Kristen Campbell (TOR): Maschmeyer has been Vancouver’s backbone, posting strong outings like her near-shutout vs. Montréal. Toronto’s Campbell will need to match her in a game likely decided by 1-2 goals.
X-Factor: Vancouver’s Abby Boreen has been physical but penalty-prone (multiple minors recently); Toronto could exploit that on special teams.
Betting Trends
Under is Dominant: Both teams average under 2 goals scored per game, and the PWHL as a whole trends low-scoring (81% of games under 4.5 goals this season). Vancouver games have gone under in 8 of 12; Toronto in 7 of 12.
Home Advantage for Toronto: The Sceptres are 3-0-1-1 at home, including wins in high-attendance games at Scotiabank Arena. They’ve covered the moneyline in 4 of 5 home tilts.
Vancouver Road Struggles: The Goldeneyes are 1-0-1-4 on the road, often losing by one goal but covering spreads as underdogs in 60% of away games.
Special Teams Edge: Vancouver’s penalty kill (92.3%) outperforms Toronto’s power play (8.3%), suggesting value in props for under on power-play goals.
First Meeting Uncertainty: Expansion teams like Vancouver have split results in debuts vs. established squads, but Toronto has won 2 of 3 against new entrants (Seattle, Vancouver in sims).
GAME ODDS
Vancouver Goldeneyes 3.5
Toronto Sceptres -120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 16, 2026
