The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) features a classic rivalry matchup as the Toronto Sceptres travel to face the Montreal Victoire. This game pits two original PWHL franchises against each other in what has historically been a competitive series. Below is a comprehensive breakdown, including all key elements.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, Canada. This is the primary home arena for the Montreal Victoire, with a seating capacity of around 10,000 for hockey. Place Bell has hosted several high-profile PWHL games, including Montreal’s recent 3-1 victory over Ottawa on January 24, 2026.
Puck drop is scheduled for Time: 6:30 PM EST (11:30 PM UTC) This timing aligns with standard PWHL evening slots to maximize viewership.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have shown mixed results in recent outings, with Montreal on a slight upswing and Toronto grinding through a tougher stretch. Here’s a summary of their last five games (based on available data up to January 24, 2026):
| Team | Last 5 Games | Key Notes |
| Montreal Victoire | W 3-1 vs Ottawa (Jan 24) thepwhl.com , L 1-2 at Toronto (Dec 27) thepwhl.com , W 2-1 SO vs Toronto (Dec 18) cbc.ca , W 3-1 vs Toronto (Dec 7) tsn.ca , L 1-3 at New York (earlier Dec) | Strong defensively in wins, allowing just 1 goal in three of the last five. Offense led by multi-goal performances like Maureen Murphy’s two-goal game vs Ottawa. Form: 3-0-0-2 (9 points). |
| Toronto Sceptres | W 2-1 vs Montreal (Dec 27) thepwhl.com , L 1-2 SO at Montreal (Dec 18) cbc.ca , L 1-3 at Montreal (Dec 7) tsn.ca , W 4-3 vs Ottawa (Nov), OTL 3-4 vs Minnesota (Nov) | Reliant on goaltending in close games; have split recent rivalry matchups but struggled against top teams. Form: 2-0-1-2 (7 points). |
Montreal enters with momentum from their latest win, while Toronto’s form highlights resilience in low-scoring affairs.
Series History
This rivalry has been intense since the PWHL’s inception, with 14 all-time meetings as of late 2025. Toronto holds a slight edge:
Head-to-Head Record: Toronto 8 wins, Montreal 6 wins.
Last 5 Meetings:
Dec 27, 2025: Toronto 2-1 at Montreal
Dec 18, 2025: Montreal 2-1 SO vs Toronto (neutral site in Halifax)
Dec 7, 2025: Montreal 3-1 vs Toronto
Mar 23, 2025: Toronto 2-1 vs Montreal
Dec 21, 2024: Montreal 4-3 OT vs Toronto
Key Trends: Games are often low-scoring (average 3.9 goals per game in the last 10), with 7 of the last 10 decided by one goal or in overtime/shootout. Toronto has won 5 of the last 8 on the road against Montreal, but the Victoire have dominated at home (4-2 in last 6 home games).
The series has seen nine different venues in 13 games, adding to the nomadic rivalry feel.
Injury Report
Injury data is limited as of January 26, 2026, with no major updates reported for this specific game. However, based on recent team announcements:
Montreal Victoire:
No active injuries noted. Forward Catherine Dubois returned from a brief absence (missed three games in December 2025) and played in the Dec 27 loss.
Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens has been healthy and started the Jan 24 win, making 23 saves.
Earlier season issues (e.g., Dubois on LTIR in Feb 2025, Desbiens on LTIR in Mar 2025) appear resolved.
Toronto Sceptres:
No current injuries reported. Forward Sarah Nurse, a key offensive player, has been active after past LTIR stints (e.g., lower-body in Feb 2025).
The team has managed without major absences in recent games. Both teams are expected to ice near-full lineups, but monitor pre-game updates for any last-minute scratches.
Key Player Matchups
This game features star-studded talent on both sides, with focus on offensive leaders, defensive pairings, and goaltending duels:
Key Offensive Matchup: Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin (captain, elite playmaker with shootout prowess
cbc.ca
) vs. Toronto’s Sarah Nurse (speedy forward with multi-goal potential). Poulin has been clutch in rivalry games, scoring in shootouts, while Nurse leads Toronto in points and thrives in transition.
Defensive Battle: Montreal’s Ann-Sophie Bettez and defenders like Kati Tabobondung will aim to contain Toronto’s Natalie Spooner (power forward with a nose for the net). Toronto’s blueline, led by Renata Fast, must handle Montreal’s speedsters like Maureen Murphy (recent two-goal hero
thepwhl.com
).
Goaltending Duel: Montreal’s Ann-Renée Desbiens (20 saves in Dec 7 win, 35 saves in Dec 18 SO win
vs. Toronto’s Kristen Campbell (strong in close games, e.g., 2-1 win on Dec 27). Desbiens has a .920+ save percentage in recent starts, giving Montreal an edge.
Special Teams: Montreal’s power play (top-3 in PWHL) could exploit Toronto’s penalty kill (middle of the pack). Watch for Poulin on the PP vs. Toronto’s shorthanded threats like Emma Maltais.
Expect physicality, with recent games featuring penalties like slashing and boarding.
Betting Trends
Rivalry-Specific: 7 of the last 10 games went under the total (average 3.9 goals), with 60% decided by one goal.
Montreal is 4-2 straight up at home vs Toronto. Team Trends: Montreal is 5-1 to the under in last 6 home games; Toronto is 3-2-1 to the over in last 6 road games but 4-6 straight up on the road this season.
General PWHL: Home teams win 55% of games; unders hit 58% in rivalry matchups due to strong goaltending.
Bettors should note low totals in PWHL (league average ~4.2 goals/game).
GAME ODDS
Toronto Sceptres 4.5
Montreal Victoire – 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 27, 2026
