Game 2 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Charge at Montréal Victoire

The patterns are undeniable. The Ottawa Charge are the only undefeated team in PWHL playoff history (1‐0), and the Montréal Victoire are the only winless team (0-4). I'm not a betting man, but there's a clear favourite here. It's just math.

My undisputed first star of Game 1 was Gwyneth Philips in goal, showing the same resolve that allowed her to lead Team USA past Canada at last month's world championships. ​She looked poised and unflappable, and gets the start again tonight. The lines aren't projected ​to change from the ones in Game 1:

Meanwhile, the (sans) Victoire will start Ann-Renée Desbiens, whose Game 1 performance was much like her world championships performance: good but not quite good enough. Montréal is similarly projecting the same lines as Game 1.

Thoughts for tonight:

• How incredible is it that Emerance Maschmeyer went down with injury and the quality of goaltending didn't palpably drop? Philips has been impressive.
• It's fun that all of Ashton Bell's goals this year have been against the team that plays at Place Bell.
• Seems like keeping Montréal off the powerplay is a recipe for success. They only scored with the man advantage last game.
• Shiann Darkangelo scoring the game-winner last game further solidifies her as the biggest surprise this season. She's been an essential part of the team's offence after being projected as a fourth-liner.
• Look for a big afternoon from Vanišová. She finished second in the PWHL in goals, and won't be satisfied with her lone assist from Game 1.
• Even a split in Montréal is good, but imagine them coming home with two shots at winning the series on home ice. A win today would be even bigger.
• Game starts at 2 pm ET. Coverage on TSN/RDS in Canada and the PWHL YouTube in the US.
• Go Charge Go!