Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Place Bell, Laval, Quebec, Canada
TV/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network North & FOX 9+ (Minnesota market), TSN/Sportsnet (Canada national), PWHL YouTube (international)
Radio: KFAN 100.3 FM (Frost), Victoire radio network
Game Context
Two of the PWHL’s top contenders clash in Laval as the post-Olympic schedule heats up. The Montréal Victoire sit tied for 1st/2nd in the league with 30 points (16 GP), boasting the league’s best defense. The Minnesota Frost (defending back-to-back Walter Cup champions) are right behind in 3rd with 28 points (15 GP) and lead the league in goals scored. A Victoire regulation win would create separation at the top; a Frost victory (especially in regulation) would vault them into a tie for 1st with games in hand. Both teams are playoff locks but are fighting for home-ice advantage and momentum heading into the final stretch.
Recent Form
Montréal Victoire: Red-hot, riding a four-game winning streak (their second of the season). Most recently, they dominated the New York Sirens 4-1 on Feb. 26 in their first game back from the Olympic break, with Ann-Renée Desbiens making 34 saves. Montréal has allowed just 1.38 goals per game during the streak and is 6-1-0-1 in their last eight overall. Elite structure and goaltending have defined their resurgence.
Minnesota Frost: Mixed results entering the mini-series, but their offense remains explosive (3.20 goals per game, 1st in PWHL). Without captain Kendall Coyne Schofield (LTIR), the Frost have leaned on depth scoring and have gone 4-2-1-1 in their last eight. They’ve shown resilience but have dropped both meetings with Montréal this season (both in OT). Expect a motivated road group looking to snap the head-to-head skid.
Injury Report
Minnesota Frost
- LTIR / OUT: Kendall Coyne Schofield (C, upper-body from Olympics, retroactive to Feb. 19; earliest return March 12).
- No other major injuries reported. Full complement of Olympic returnees (Taylor Heise, Britta Curl-Salemme, Grace Zumwinkle, Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein) available and fresh.
Montréal Victoire
- LTIR / OUT: Erin Ambrose (D, lower-body from Olympics).
- Questionable / Day-to-Day: Marie-Philip Poulin (C, lower-body/knee from Olympics; missed Feb. 26 game vs. NY, status to be updated day-of).
- Depth defenders elevated (Tamara Giaquinto, Kelly-Ann Nadeau) to cover absences.
Montréal’s blue-line depth is tested, but their forward group remains dangerous even without Poulin.
Key Player Matchups
- Taylor Heise (MIN, 3G-13A-16P in 15 GP) vs. Montréal’s shutdown pairing (Kati Tabin / Nicole Gosling): Heise leads the Frost in points and has been their most consistent creator without Coyne. Expect heavy defensive attention.
- Britta Curl-Salemme (MIN, 7G-9A-16P) & Grace Zumwinkle vs. Ann-Renée Desbiens: Curl-Salemme’s net-front presence and Zumwinkle’s speed will test Desbiens, who is playing at an elite level (sub-2.00 GAA in recent stretch).
- Marie-Philip Poulin (MTL, if active) vs. Minnesota’s top defensive pair (Lee Stecklein / Sidney Morin): Poulin’s leadership and clutch play (OT hero in both prior meetings this season) make her the X-factor.
- Goaltending: Desbiens (MTL) vs. Nicole Hensley or Maddie Rooney (MIN). Edge to Desbiens given recent form and Montréal’s team defense.
Head-to-Head / Series History
- 2025-26 Season: Montréal leads 2-0 (both overtime victories): 3-2 OT (Jan. 4 in Laval), 2-1 OT (Jan. 21 in St. Paul).
- All-Time: Montréal has won the last four meetings dating back to last season. Minnesota has not beaten Montréal in regulation since the 2024 playoffs.
- Trend: Games are tight, low-scoring, and frequently decided in extra time (three of last four went to OT).
Betting Trends
- Montréal is 8-3 at home this season and 7-2-0-1 in their last 10 overall.
- Frost are 3-4-2-1 on the road but average 3.1 goals per road game.
- Under 5.5 has hit in 9 of Montréal’s last 12 home games (elite defense + strong goaltending).
- Head-to-head unders dominate (both 2025-26 games went Under 5.5).
GAME ODDS
Minnesota Frost 5.5
Montreal Victoire – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 28, 2026
