What we've learned about the PWHL's 6 teams over league's 1st month
CBC
The PWHL's first month began with New York shutting out Toronto on New Year's Day, a milestone that reached nearly three million people.
It ended with Minnesota's Abby Boreen scoring in overtime to secure her team the win, and a tie atop the standings with Montreal.
Most of the games in between have been much like the latter. More than half of the PWHL's first 22 games have been decided by just one goal, with overtime or a shootout needed in eight. It's a sign of parity across the league.
Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie might have put it best after a 2-1 win over Minnesota last week.
"Every night as of late feels like a game seven and it's hard to get three points in this league," she said.
With only two points separating the last four teams in the standings, the extra point awarded for a regulation win will be crucial for teams going forward.
After a few days off, 24 players will be in Toronto on Thursday to play in the PWHL 3-on-3 showcase as part of the NHL's All-Star Weekend celebrations.
It's meant to be fun, but don't expect to see PWHL players treating it as a vacation. It's a chance to introduce women's hockey to people who've never watched them play, and that's something they don't take lightly.
"We can't take it off, because at the end of the day, people will always have the opinion that if we don't give our best, women's hockey isn't good," Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin told the Canadian Press.
Then, the league will hit pause from Feb. 5 until 14 for international play, including the last three stops this season in the Rivalry Series.
But before that, there are three games on the schedule this weekend.
That includes Toronto hosting Minnesota at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, which you can watch on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and CBC TV.
With all but two teams already at the one-third mark of their season, here's a look at what we've learned about each team, and what to watch going forward:
Minnesota dealt with an unexpected coaching change just before the season began. The team came out flying anyway and has only lost once in regulation, allowing fewer than two goals per game along the way.
