PWHL Playoffs: Morin Emerges, Desbiens Frustrated In Traffic, And A Frost Team Trending Upward

Four minutes later, on the power play following a costly penalty by Laura Stacey, Sidney Morin fired another shot with Nicole Gosling and Abby Hustler planted in front of the crease. The puck deflected and fooled Desbiens, giving Minnesota the lead — and ultimately the game.

Montreal had the series on a silver platter, but couldn’t finish the job.

Where Are Minnesota’s Forwards?

Of Minnesota’s eight goals in the series, only four have come from forwards. That’s a far cry from the regular season, when forwards scored 84 of the team’s 91 goals.

Point-per-game player like Taylor Heise has just two points in the series. PWHL leading goal scorer Kelly Pannek has only one goal — an empty-netter Friday night.

Even with 14 shots on goal, Pannek has felt oddly invisible against Montreal. At times, fourth-liner Elizabeth Giguere has generated more dangerous scoring chances.

Heise is skating well and creating speed through the neutral zone, but she hasn’t been able to to turn those rushes into goals or points. Kendall Coyne Schofield has probably been Minnesota’s best forward overall, playing an energetic and dynamic game every shift.

And then there’s Britta Curl-Salemme, whose physical style is clearly getting under Montreal’s skin. Laura Stacey’s third-period penalty against her was proof of that.

But overall, because of Minnesota’s lack of depth up front, the top two lines haven’t quite lived up to expectations — at least not yet.

Maddie Rooney: A Playoff Goalie

Not only did Sidney Morin step up for Minnesota, but Maddie Rooney did as well.

Before the playoffs started, many people — myself included — believed Montreal had a clear advantage in net because of Ann-Renee Desbiens.

But that was without fully considering what Rooney has done in the postseason over the last two years.

In 2024 against Toronto, she allowed just two goals in four games, including an 84-minute shutout. Last year, she started the final three games of the Walter Cup Final against Ottawa and gave up only three goals total, with Minnesota winning all three games by 2-1 scores.

And now, here we are again against Montreal.

Through four games, Rooney and Desbiens have both allowed eight goals. Desbiens owns a 1.67 goals-against average, Rooney a 1.68. Desbiens has a .936 save percentage, Rooney a .937.

Very similar numbers for what feels like a very different perception of the series, don’t you think?

Minnesota In Five?

At the start of the series, I predicted Minnesota would win in five games.

That prediction still stands.

The scary part for Montreal? Minnesota’s offense still hasn’t played its best hockey.

When the Frost are fully skating and attacking the way they’re capable of, they become extremely difficult to contain. We saw it in Game 1. They need to keep moving their feet, crash the net, create traffic, and capitalize on rebounds. That’s how you beat Ann-Renee Desbiens.

On the other side, Montreal absolutely needs to stay out of the penalty box, even if Minnesota hasn’t fully capitalized on the power play throughout the series.

When the Victoire have time and space, they’re much better at controlling the pace of the game. But they need to make those stretches count. And above all, they need to be more intense and more consistent.

They can’t afford another first period like Game 1 or another third period like Game 3.

One of Montreal’s biggest issues all season has been putting together a complete, consistent 60-minute effort.

And if there’s ever been a moment to finally do it, it’ll be Monday night.