This is the second edition of theScore's PWHL Power Rankings for the 2024-25 campaign. Check back for updated rankings each month.
In this edition, we identify every team's biggest storyline in the early part of the season.
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1. Montreal Victoire (11-2-1, 31 points)
Previous: 2
Montreal was absolutely rolling before the international break. The Victoire have won five straight and are the class of the PWHL at this stage.
Star forward Marie-Philip Poulin has led the recent run. The 33-year-old paces the PWHL with 10 goals in 14 games and has been red hot lately, recording eight tallies in her last seven contests. She's scored as many goals as the entire Ottawa Charge team over that span.
Poulin has been dominant at the other end of the ice, too. The Victoire have been a lockdown defensive unit, led by Poulin's underrated two-way prowess. If Montreal cruises to a regular-season title, it'll be hard to deny Poulin as league MVP.
2. Minnesota Frost (9-4-2, 25 points)
Previous: 1
The defending Walter Cup champion Frost came out of the gate hot, but have cooled over the past month. Minnesota remains a challenger for the No. 1 seed with 15 contests to go, though Montreal has opened up a six-point lead and still has a game in hand.
The Frost's success has come as an overall unit. Rearguard Claire Thompson has looked incredible offensively, while Kendall Coyne Schofield has been among the league's best even-strength creators.
But the midseason MVP nod goes to Taylor Heise. She has surpassed her point total from last season in five fewer games, and she's done it while Grace Zumwinkle and Dominique Petrie have combined to play one game in 2025 due to injuries. Heise has been a consistent offensive threat and went into the break with back-to-back two-point efforts.
3. Toronto Sceptres (5-6-4, 19 points)
Previous: 4
The Sceptres are rounding into form after a slow start to the campaign. Toronto bookended shootout losses in Minnesota and Montreal with regulation victories over New York and Ottawa entering the break.
That's been without reigning MVP Natalie Spooner, who returns to the lineup Tuesday against the Frost. The bad news, though, is that Sarah Nurse is now out for at least six games after sustaining an injury in the Rivalry Series.
Hannah Miller has been the Sceptres' breakout star this season. She ranks second in PWHL goals with seven, most notably tallying two at Scotiabank Arena against the Sirens to secure a much-needed win.
While top forwards Nurse, Emma Maltais, and Daryl Watts have fought through goal-scoring droughts, Miller has been there to spark the offense. Toronto would've been in a much more precarious position had it not been for Miller's splendid play.
4. New York Sirens (7-5-2, 20 points)
Previous: 3
Sarah Fillier has somehow been better than expected in her first PWHL season. She's not just the runaway Rookie of the Year - she's firmly in the mix for league MVP.
Fillier's dynamic offensive play has been a treat to watch. She leads the league with 15 points, has an active six-game point streak, and has been held off the scoresheet just twice through 14 contests.
Alex Carpenter, New York's MVP finalist from last season and Fillier's linemate, got hurt Jan. 31 and didn't play in the Sirens' final game before the break. She was also made unavailable for Team USA at the Rivalry Series due to the injury. Carpenter's availability down the stretch will be key to monitor.
5. Boston Fleet (6-5-2, 17 points)
Previous: 5
Hilary Knight managed just 11 points last season and failed to find the scoresheet in the playoffs. But, in the PWHL's second campaign, she's turned things around and has performed like her typical self.
Knight has already matched her point total from last season in 11 fewer games. She still has yet to break out on the power play, though: The veteran forward has just one goal on the player advantage after notching zero power-play points last year.
Boston has heavily relied on Knight and the rest of their top line. She leads all PWHL forwards having averaged 22:05, and it doesn't look like that will drop - she played over 24 minutes in Boston's last game.
6. Ottawa Charge (5-8-2, 17 points)
Previous: 6
The international break came at a good time for the Charge. They've been struggling, particularly offensively, and the brief time away should allow the team to reset.
As noted, Marie-Philip Poulin has as many goals as the Charge do since Jan. 8. That's not exactly a recipe for success, and Ottawa's 1-4-0 record in that span reflects it.
Emerance Maschmeyer's play is the reason the Charge aren't completely out of the mix. She's been superb on the campaign and sports a .925 save percentage in 12 games.
