Six takeaways from Week 8 of the PWHL: Daoust’s big return, Toronto is hot, Jaques turning things around

As the parity across the Professional Women’s Hockey League continues, more and more questions arise with the trade deadline drawing near.

Here’s some of the biggest storylines you need to know:

1. Welcome back, Melodie

The feel-good story from last week was the return of one of the most underappreciated players in the game.

Melodie Daoust signed a 10-day contract with Montreal before the team clashed with rival Boston on Saturday. The Quebec native had been on the team’s reserve list for the entire season, as she has been focusing on her work with the Bourget College women’s hockey program.

Yet, when she finally made her PWHL debut, the Olympic gold medalist did not miss a beat. Her longtime Team Canada teammate, captain Marie-Philip Poulin, set her up for her first goal of the season, which ended up being the game-winner in a 3-1 victory.

Not long ago, the 32-year-old was one of the best in the world. Daoust earned tournament MVP honors at the 2018 Olympics and 2021 World Championship, and was a member of the memorable 3-on-3 game between the U.S. and Canada at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game.

Daoust’s performance on Saturday leaves us longing for more, because we know talented she is, and what kind of a difference she could make.

2. Jump on the Toronto bandwagon

The hottest team in the PWHL is looking unbeatable, and it is hard to tell if anyone can stop them.

Toronto finally looks like the team many projected them to be at the beginning of the season. They went into Minneapolis last Tuesday and managed to come away with a big overtime win, as Sarah Nurse’s second goal of the game gave the team in blue a 4-3 overtime win.

The Hamilton native ended up with four points on the week, including picking up two assists in Toronto’s 5-2 win over Ottawa on Saturday, the team’s first win in the Battle of Ontario this season.

With wins in seven consecutive games, Toronto looks like a threat heading into the deadline. The big guns are clicking as Natalie Spooner chugs along, leading the league with 11 goals. Victoria Bach is back in top form sooner than expected, and the depth players are contributing at both ends of the rink.

While they’re technically third in the standings, Toronto plays like a championship contender.

3. Heise’s return sparks Minnesota

Minnesota is a team that seemed to be spiraling out of control. From being the last team in the PWHL to have a regulation loss to falling out of first place, the team from the Land of 10,000 Lakes was in the midst of a three-game losing skid heading into Sunday, but a returning face helped give the team a spark.

While Taylor Heise did not score in her first game back after missing five games due to injury, Minnesota played with a lot more jump against New York on Sunday than in games past. They heavily outplayed N.Y., on the road, and were rewarded with goals from Kelly Pannek and Abby Boreen, who played a bigger role in Heise’s absence, in the 2-0 win.

If Heise can get back into the swing of things quickly, she can help rejuvenate a Minnesota offense that has been quiet for most of the last month.

4. Jaques looks comfortable in her new home

One player who is still getting used to her new confines might be another important piece in Minnesota righting the ship.

Sophie Jaques could not find her groove in the early going with Boston. That is why general manager Danielle Marmer made a deal with Minnesota’s GM, Natalie Darwitz, to send the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner to Minnesota.

The move has paid dividends for Jaques’ confidence. After picking up an assist in her first game with the team on Feb. 14, the former Ohio State star’s play improved in each game with Minny. In the OT loss to Toronto, Jaques scored not just once but twice, almost single-handily giving Minnesota a point.

Under coach Ken Klee, you can see how comfortable Jaques is playing with Minnesota, which will be vital for her development and the team’s push toward the playoffs.

Jaques has two goals and two assists this season, all coming in the six games with her new team.

5. Out of the New York Groove

One team that is seemingly far from turning things around is New York.

While they came into the season as underdogs, N.Y. played with a level of grit that the rest of the league didn’t have early on. Paired up with fantastic goaltending from Corinne Schroeder and the scoring touch of Alex Carpenter, they were looking like a potential playoff team.

Yet, despite reeling off three straight wins, New York stumbled over the last 10 days, as its offense faltered in losses to Toronto, Ottawa and Minnesota. The team has scored just three goals during this skid, including being shut out by Minnesota on Sunday.

While some think it might be too early to hit the panic button, With less than two weeks to go before the deadline, N.Y. needs to figure out if they want to push for a playoff spot, as they currently sit at the bottom of the standings, or just wait it out, and look to the future instead of the now.

6. Maschmeyer needs help

The team that New York is outside of the postseason picture with is Ottawa. For the most part, Ottawa has been a team that has been tough to beat, but the constant emotional battles are starting to wear on them, and their starting goaltender.

When Ottawa signed Canadian National Team netminder Emerance Maschmeyer, it was apparent the team’s success would be dictated by how she played. While she has picked up wins over the last month, Maschmeyer’s numbers have diminished recently.

The Alberta native has played in every game this season, and fatigue looks to be setting in. Maschmeyer has lost three of her last four starts, giving up at least three goals in said defeats. She was pulled in Ottawa’s 5-2 loss to Toronto after giving up three goals on 13 shots.

All this to say that Ottawa needs to give Maschmeyer a break. The only time they tried, Sandra Abstreiter got injured before the end of the first period on Jan. 24.

GM Michael Hirschfield and head coach Carla McLeod need to find a goaltender they can trust to give them a chance when Maschmeyer needs a night off, or else they risk burning her out before the World Championship break.