The Montreal Victoire got the best news possible heading into the playoffs that captain Marie-Philip Poulin is back.

After missing over a month with a lower-body injury, Poulin and forward Maureen Murphy were activated from long-term injured reserve. The timing couldn’t be better for Montreal, which finished first place in the regular season with a 16–6–2–6 record and is now entering its third consecutive playoff appearance.

For Montreal, having their legendary captain healthy for the postseason could be the difference between another disappointing exit and finally hoisting the Walter Cup.

The long road back for Marie-Philip Poulin

Poulin’s journey to recovery has been anything but simple. The 35-year-old captain first injured her right knee on February nine during the Milan Cortina Olympics in a game against Czechia, when she took a hard hit from Czechia’s Kristyna Kaltounkova during the second game of Canada’s group stage schedule.

The injury forced her to miss two crucial games during the preliminary round of the Olympics. But true to her “Captain Clutch” nickname, Poulin battled back just in time for the knockout stage. She returned to help Canada make a deep run, even breaking the Olympic women’s hockey record for career goals along the way. Canada ultimately reached the gold medal game, where they fell to the United States in heartbreaking fashion.

The injury lingered after the Olympics ended. When the PWHL resumed play following the Olympic break, Poulin missed Montreal’s first game back. She managed to return for three more games, including a memorable moment on March three when she scored the shootout winner in a 4–3 victory over the Toronto Sceptres.

But the knee wasn’t fully healed. On March 15, in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Boston Fleet, Poulin scored a power play goal to open the scoring. Shortly after, she took another hit and immediately began favouring her right knee, the same one she had injured at the Olympics. She left the ice and didn’t return for the second period before being officially ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Victoire placed her on long-term injured reserve on March 24, with team doctors expecting her to miss at least four games. She was eligible to return on April 5, but the team took a cautious approach with their franchise player. In total, Poulin missed 11 games during her recovery period.

Montreal had stepped up big time in Poulin’s absence

While losing your captain and best player is never easy, the Victoire proved they were more than just a one-woman show. The team went an impressive 9–1–1 with Poulin out of the lineup this season, setting a new PWHL record with points in 16 straight games.

Other players stepped up in major ways. Laura Stacey became the heart of Montreal’s attack during the absence, finishing with 21 points through 27 games and consistently delivering in crucial moments. Forward Abby Roque also had a breakout year, recording a career-high 22 points and proving herself as a legitimate offensive threat.

The Victoire’s depth was on full display throughout the season. Players like Hayley Scamurra, who scored 13 points in 27 games after winning Olympic gold with Team USA, showed why Montreal had the deepest roster in the league.

Still, having Poulin back is a massive boost that can’t be overstated. In just 18 games this season before the injury, she scored nine goals and eight assists for 17 points, ranking tied for sixth in the PWHL in goals and seventh in points. Those are elite numbers, and of course, her presence on the ice changes everything for Montreal.

Breaking the playoff curse

The uncomfortable truth for Montreal is that they’ve dominated regular seasons but haven’t been able to close the deal when it matters most.

In the PWHL’s inaugural season in 2024, Montreal finished second in the standings but was eliminated in the first round by Boston. Last year, despite finishing first, they were upset by Ottawa in the semifinals.

So far in the PWHL’s short history, the number one seed has struggled when the pressure is highest. It’s a pattern Montreal desperately wants to break.

The Victoire have all the pieces in place this year. They have the best goaltending in the league with Desbiens and offensive firepower throughout their lineup. They have a coach in Kori Cheverie who has prepared them well. And now, most importantly, they have their captain back.

The legend of Captain Clutch

Getting Poulin back for the playoffs is exactly what Montreal needed. The nickname “Captain Clutch,” after all, has been earned through years of delivering in the biggest moments.

Last season, Poulin claimed the PWHL Top Goal Scorer award with a league-leading 19 goals in 30 games. She was also named the Billie Jean King Most Valuable Player for the 2024–25 season as the best player in the league.

Her impact, of course, goes beyond statistics. Poulin is the kind of player who elevates everyone around her. She makes big plays in big moments. She’s a leader both on and off the ice.

The return of Marie-Philip Poulin is like getting the heart and soul of the franchise back. It’s about having a proven winner who knows how to perform under pressure. Anything can happen in a short series. But for the Victoire, having Poulin healthy and ready couldn’t come at a better time.

The playoffs start this week. Montreal has home ice. They have their captain. They have everything they need to make a championship run.

So Montreal, get ready to make some noise. This could finally be their year.