PWHL power rankings: Boston Fleet are the top team at the quarter mark

The PWHL passed the quarter mark of the 2025-26 season and the league standings are starting to take shape. The Boston Fleet remain in first place overall, but with 3 points on the line for a regulation win, the PWHL standings can quickly change. A number of teams continue to deal with injuries to significant players on their roster, which could also factor into the next handful of games as the league enters its longest uninterrupted stretch before the 2026 Olympics.

Here’s a look at USA TODAY Sports’ PWHL Power Rankings at the quarter mark of the season:

1. Boston Fleet (6-0-1-1)The Fleet continue to prove pre-season critics wrong. Their top defensive pairing of Megan Keller and Haley Winn has been the best in the PWHL this season, Aerin Frankel has been nearly unbeatable in net, and they’ve received scoring by committee, both from rookies and veterans. New head coach Kris Sparre deserves praise for the impact he’s made. The only question is whether or the Boston Fleet can continue to win or will teams figure out — and in some cases attempt to mimic — the Fleet’s systems and approach.
2. Minnesota Frost (3-1-1-2)The back-to-back champions continue to find ways to score and win. The Frost are getting contributions from familiar faces like Taylor Heise, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Britta Curl-Salemme, who remain a trio that pushes the pace and challenges opposing defenders night in and night out. They’re also, however, seeing rookies like Abby Hustler and Kendall Cooper effectively fill the gaps left by expansion in their lineup. The Frost are always a tough team to play against, and no one should count out their ability to three-peat.
3. Montreal Victoire (3-1-0-3)Montreal started to look fatigued after a road trip that took them out east to Halifax, then all the way out west to Vancouver and Seattle, and then back home again, but the veteran-laden team managed to hold on and pick up points. Managing the workload of their older core, who will all be counted upon heavily at the Olympics, will be a task for head coach Kori Cheverie, but it will become easier for the Victoire once injured forwards Jade Downie-Landry and Lina Ljungblom are able to join the roster fully for the first time this season. When they return, this is a team that will only get better.
4. Toronto Sceptres (4-0-2-2)The Sceptres are playing tighter hockey than they have in the past, but with injuries on their blueline to Renata Fast and Allie Munroe, their ability to stay in tight games has been challenged. So far, so good for the Sceptres who sit second in the PWHL standings. Still, the team has been waiting for someone to consistently step forward and contribute offensively. Jesse Compher has shown more punch lately, but the Sceptres need bigger offensive contributions from Natalie Spooner, Daryl Watts, and their rookie cohort before they can be put in the contender bracket.

1. Seattle Torrent (3-0-1-3)It’s best to leave sleeping giants alone, but recently, Seattle’s high octane offense that includes players like Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, Julia Gosling, Hannah Bilka, and Danielle Serdachny has shown signs of life. It’s bad news for opponents, but good news for Seattle fans. Hannah Murphy has seemingly stepped into the starting role stealing the job from Corinne Schroeder who was an inaugural signing of the team. Murphy’s play has helped jumpstart Seattle, and recent depth contributions are helping to diversify their attack beyond the top group.

1. Ottawa Charge (1-3-0-5)After a horrid start, the Ottawa Charge have shown they are the same team that fought their way to the Walter Cup final last season. Ottawa strung together a trio of wins — two in overtime and one in a shootout — to hit the quarter mark of their schedule. After a stretch of lackluster losses, it was a welcomed shock to the Charge’s system. If they can get Emily Clark going, who continues to sit among league leaders in shots and scoring chances despite not registering a point, this team could be this year’s surprise story. Before that however, they’ll need to turn those extra time wins into regulation points.

1. New York Sirens (3-0-0-5)In the PWHL, there really isn’t a sophomore slump like in the NHL, because without a farm system it often takes rookies the majority of their first season in the league to develop and get comfortable. New York’s rookies, including Kristyna Kaltounkova, Casey O’Brien, Maddi Wheeler, and others are on that journey together, and when it clicks they are a fun team to watch. The Sirens have proven they can beat anyone, but not with the consistency they’ll need to make the playoffs. Expect the Sirens to get better as the year goes on.

1. Vancouver Goldeneyes (2-1-1-4)Picked by just about everyone to walk away with the PWHL championship this season, the Vancouver Goldeneyes haven’t clicked as a team yet. No question, they have a wealth of talent, depth, and a rabid fan base averaging more than 11,000 spectators per game, but they’re also proving that big names don’t alsways win games. Vancouver needs more desperation in their play, and they need those veteran players to step up in big moments for a key save, or clutch goal. Once the Goldeneyes hit their stride, they’ll be a force to reckon with. Right now, they’re a team no opponent is afraid to face.