There is no current date for the NWHL Playoffs and the battle for the Isobel Cup to resume. The negative experience of Lake Placid likely has teams and the league rethinking how to approach a restart.
Before the NWHL playoffs’ suspension due to challenges at the Lake Placid “bubble,” the Toronto Six were climbing the National Women’s Hockey League standings and priming for a run at the Isobel Cup. If and when the season resumes, can the Toronto Six win the 2021 NWHL League Championship in their first season? There are a few reasons we think the Toronto Six can win it all in 2021.
Can the Toronto Six Win it all in 2021?
| Team |  | 1xBet |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Six | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Minnesota Whitecaps | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Boston Pride | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Connecticut Whale | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Buffalo Beauts | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Metropolitan Riveters | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Although the Toronto Six were the newbies in the NWHL – joining as an expansion team in 2020 – they entered the NWHL playoffs as the top seed. The standings were somewhat of an anomaly – as Toronto and the Minnesota Whitecaps finished with the same points percentage – .750 – but Toronto played more games finishing with a record of 4-1-1, compared to the Whitecaps, whose record was 3-1-0.
Toronto played better than Minnesota – finishing the regular season with a +7-goal differential, compared to a +2 for Minnesota.
The playoff picture is a mess and depends on the Connecticut Whale. Connecticut – for the health and wellbeing of their players – forfeited their final game and withdrew from the tournament (which ended their season). At the time, Connecticut was in third place in the standings.
Since the whole playoffs were suspended, we wonder if Connecticut will return when the season reboots. If the season resumes and Connecticut does not return, that helps the Toronto Six. But why, you may ask?
Because it bumps the Boston Pride from fourth place and a first-round match with Toronto to third place and a semi-finals meeting with Minnesota.
Despite finishing in fourth place – no team looked better before the Lake Placid tournament was cancelled than the Boston Pride. The Pride ripped off 13 goals in their final two games – showing they can be the most dangerous team in the tournament – and the number one opponent you do not want to play in the first round of the playoffs.
If the tournament resumes with Boston in third, it helps the Toronto Six’s chances immensely. Boston showed they could get hot – but not necessarily for a long stretch – meaning they could get hot and beat Minnesota or play flat and lose to Minnesota (who Toronto matches up well against in the Finals).
If they play Boston in the semi-finals – it will be a taller task for the Six to bring a hockey champion back to Ontario, but the women on the Six have enough gusto we would still bet on them to win the Isobel Trophy.
When Will the NWHL Playoffs Resume?
There is no current date for the NWHL Playoffs and the battle for the Isobel Cup to resume. The negative experience of Lake Placid likely has teams and the league rethinking how to approach a restart.
When the league cancelled the remaining games, they were only a day away from having the league broadcast on the NBC Sports Network – which would have been a boon for the young league’s future. We think the partnership between the league and NBC was positive, and both parties will look for a safe solution that allows for the conclusion of the playoffs.
We cannot pinpoint a date when they would resume – however, what the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association does at Madison Square Garden on February 28 could help clear the picture. The PWHPA is playing a showcase game that Sunday night – which is also the first leg of a tour that will showcase the league and women’s hockey in different locations.
While that is much different than a bubble system the NWHL tied to employ – if it is successful, it opens the door for a different approach for the NWHL.
Where to Find the Best NWHL Odds
Canadians love their hockey, and the best online sportsbooks available in Canada know it. When the league announces a restart date, we recommend checking out Sports Interaction, BetCris, Bet99, and 1xBet to find NWHL betting odds.
If you visit any of these sites right now, you can find plenty of excellent hockey betting odds on the NHL – including futures on who will win the 2021 Stanley Cup as well as plenty of action of every NHL game through the Regular Season and Playoffs.
