Game Details
Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET
Venue: Place Bell, Laval, Quebec, Canada (home game for Montreal Victoire)
Broadcast: In Canada on CBC and Radio-Canada; internationally on PWHL YouTube
This matchup features two Canadian rivals in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), with Montreal hosting Ottawa in what promises to be a tightly contested game given their history of close battles, including playoff thrillers from the previous season. The Victoire enter as slight favorites, but the Charge have shown resilience in recent outings, particularly in overtime scenarios.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have played competitive hockey in January 2026, with Ottawa riding a streak of overtime successes and Montreal grinding out wins against tough opponents. Here’s a summary of their last five games (most recent first):
Ottawa Charge (Form: W-L-W-W-L):
Jan 20 at New York Sirens: 4-3 OT Win (Sarah Wozniewicz OT winner; Gwyneth Philips 31 saves)
Jan 13 at Montreal Victoire: 1-2 Loss (Close defensive battle; limited scoring chances).
Jan 11 vs. Boston Fleet: 2-1 Win (Sixth straight win at the time; strong defensive effort)
Jan 4 vs. Toronto Sceptres: 3-2 Win (Overtime; continued extra-time dominance).
Dec 28 at Minnesota Frost: 2-3 OT Loss (Competitive but fell short in extra time).
Ottawa has gone perfect in overtime this season (5-0 in OT decisions), making them a threat in close games. They’ve averaged 2.4 goals per game in this stretch, with solid goaltending carrying the load
Montreal Victoire (Form: W-L-W-W-L):
Jan 21 at Minnesota Frost: 2-1 OT Win (Marie-Philip Poulin OT winner; spoiled Minnesota’s homestand)
Jan 18 at New York Sirens: 1-2 Loss (Ended win streak; outshot opponents but couldn’t convert)
Jan 13 vs. Ottawa Charge: 2-1 Win (Shiann Darkangelo goal and assist; defensive masterclass)
Jan 4 vs. Toronto Sceptres: 3-2 Win (Strong home performance; key contributions from forwards).
Dec 27 vs. New York Sirens: 2-1 Loss (Tight game; struggled with finishing).
Montreal has averaged 2.2 goals per game recently, relying on clutch play from veterans like Poulin. They’ve been strong at home but vulnerable on the road, with a recent dip in form raising questions about consistency
Series History
Ottawa and Montreal have a heated rivalry, with 14 total meetings since the PWHL’s inception (including playoffs). Montreal holds a slight edge overall at 8-6 (regular season and playoffs combined), but Ottawa has won 4 of the last 7 encounters. Regular Season Head-to-Head: Montreal leads 5-3, with an average combined score of 4.8 goals per game. Playoff History (2025 Semifinals): Montreal won the series 3-2, featuring epic battles like a 3-2 quadruple-overtime win for Montreal in Game 2 (longest game in PWHL history, won by Catherine Dubois).
Ottawa took Game 1 3-2 but couldn’t close out the series. Most Recent Meeting: Jan 13, 2026 – Montreal 2-1 win at Place Bell (Darkangelo’s multi-point game sealed it)
Trends
Games often go under the total (60% of matchups under 5 goals), with overtime in 4 of the last 10. Ottawa has won 4 of 7 games in Montreal’s arena. This series is defined by low-scoring, physical play and dramatic finishes, making it a fan favorite.
Injury Report
Information on injuries is limited as of January 23, 2026, with teams not always disclosing full details close to game time. Based on available reports:
Ottawa Charge:
Gabbie Hughes (forward): Out with upper-body injury (placed on IR in December 2025; no recent update on return)
Sanni Ahola (goaltender): On long-term IR due to illness (retroactive to December 2025)
No other major injuries reported; key players like Brianne Jenner and Gwyneth Philips are expected to play.
Montreal Victoire:
Abby Roque (forward): Served a one-game suspension on Jan 13; available
Lina Ljungblom (forward): Returned to active roster on Jan 4 after earlier absence
No significant ongoing injuries; stars like Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey are healthy and contributing.
Monitor official PWHL updates for last-minute changes, as both teams have dealt with minor ailments this season.
Key Player Matchups
This game will hinge on star power and defensive battles. Here are the pivotal matchups to watch:
Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal, F) vs. Brianne Jenner (Ottawa, F): Two Canadian national team captains clash in the center ice. Poulin, a clutch overtime hero (recent OT winner vs. Minnesota), leads Montreal with her scoring touch (projected 10+ goals this season). Jenner anchors Ottawa’s top line with physical play and faceoff wins (over 55% success rate). Expect this duo to battle for puck possession in key zones
Laura Stacey (Montreal, F) vs. Sarah Wozniewicz (Ottawa, F): Stacey’s speed and finishing (top-5 in team points) will test Ottawa’s rookie sensation Wozniewicz, who has emerged with game-winners like her Jan 20 OT goal. This wing matchup could decide secondary scoring.
Ann-Renée Desbiens (Montreal, G) vs. Gwyneth Philips (Ottawa, G): Desbiens, a veteran with a sub-2.00 GAA, faces Philips, Ottawa’s breakout rookie (31 saves in recent win). Philips’ hot streak in OT could force extra time if Desbiens falters under pressure
Abby Roque (Montreal, F) vs. Emily Clark (Ottawa, F): Roque’s physicality post-suspension meets Clark’s grinding style. Both are key penalty killers, and this could influence special teams.
Montreal’s depth gives them an edge, but Ottawa’s young guns could exploit any lapses.
Betting Trends
Ottawa Charge: 6-4 ATS in last 10 games; 5-0 in OT this season (perfect for live betting on ties). They’ve gone under in 7 of 10 road games, averaging 4.2 total goals. Hot streak: Covered spread in 4 of last 5. Montreal Victoire: 7-3 ATS at home; over hits in 6 of 10 games when favored. Struggled recently (2-3 in last 5 ATS), but 4-1 vs. Ottawa in last 5 home meetings. Trends show low-scoring affairs: Under in 8 of 12 head-to-heads. Head-to-Head Trends: Games average 4.5 goals; Ottawa + moneyline has hit 50% in recent matchups. Overtime in 40% of games, favoring live bets on draws. Overall league trend: PWHL games in January 2026 have gone under 60% of the time due to strong goaltending.
GAME ODDS
Ottawa Charge 3.5
Montreal Victorie – 145
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 23, 2026
