PWHL Players of the Week: Knight, Jaques and Desbiens lead their teams in playoff races

A hat trick from a future Hockey Hall of Famer, more offense from the blue line, and one of the world’s best goalies continues to shine.

Here’s the latest edition of Daily Faceoff’s PWHL Players of the Week.

Hilary Knight (F, Boston Fleet) 

Hilary Knight only managed to produce six goals and 11 points last season, leaving some to wonder if the Boston Fleet captain would serve more as a viable depth option in Boston’s second PWHL season. But with 11 goals and 10 assists in 21 games, including a hat trick and an assist for a four-point effort this week against New York Sirens, Knight has been one of the league’s best producers. 

Going into Sunday third in the league with points and second in goals, the game looks slower for Knight, like she can control its place at all times and create chances for herself and her teammates. With only four Fleet players with at least double digits in points, Boston’s success will rely heavily on how strong Knight finishes the season. 

Sophie Jaques (D, Minnesota Frost) 

In just her second professional season, Sophie Jaques has emerged as one of the game’s best offensive producers on the blue line. Second in the league in points for defenders, despite missing five games with injury, Jaques continues to impress for a Minnesota Frost squad that started out hot but is now clinging on to the final playoff spot. 

This past week, the Ohio State Buckeye alumnus had a goal and an assist in a much-needed 5-0 win over the Ottawa Sceptres, a game that saw Minnesota get out to an early lead and never look back. While the likes of Claire Thompson and Lee Stecklein may lead the way in icetime, it’s Jaques who has provided the offense in the last month and change. 

Ann-Renee Desbiens (G, Montreal Victoire)

It’s not easy being arguably the best goalie in the world, but Ann-Renee Desbiens sure makes it look easy. The Montreal Victoire netminder stopped 72 of 76 shots this week, including a 40-save effort in a 2-1 shootout win over the Frost, a game that saw the Victoire outshot by a margin of 41-22.

Desbiens now has a 13-2-0-0 record with a .936 save percentage and 1.72 goals against average – all three categories being the league’s best. In a six-team league, you’re guaranteed to see two of the world’s best goaltenders on any given night, and Desbiens might be the best of them.