The PWHL schedule is out — and Rachel Donner breaks it all down solo on this special edition of At Even Strength.
Twelve teams, two conferences, 30 games per team.
The Eastern Conference features Boston, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton as the lone expansion team in the East. The Western Conference brings together Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, Minnesota, Seattle, and Vancouver — expansion-heavy and geographically spread out in a way that makes travel a real storyline for Season 4.
18 games in conference, 12 out of conference, which means every team visits every market at some point — though not necessarily every arena. The Takeover Tour is baked into the schedule with asterisks marking neutral-site games and carrots marking alternate venues like the Bell Centre in Montréal and Madison Square Garden in New York, with specific locations still TBD.
And the playoff format question that's been haunting Erica and Rachel all offseason finally has an answer: eight teams make it — four from each conference. The conference winner gets to choose their opponent from the third- or fourth-place team (not second), best of three in round one, best of five in the semis, and then the Walter Cup Finals. Season opener: December 6th–13th, following Women's Worlds.
0:00 — Breaking news: the PWHL Season 4 schedule is here — Rachel goes solo
1:00 — 30 games, two conferences, 18 in-conference and 12 out-of-conference games explained
2:15 — Eastern Conference breakdown: Boston, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton
3:30 — Western Conference breakdown: Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, Minnesota, Seattle, and Vancouver
4:15 — Takeover Tour and alternate venues: how to read the asterisks and carrots in the schedule
5:15 — Playoff format revealed: 8 teams, conference winners choose their opponent, best of three in round one
6:30 — Season opener: December 6th–13th, and what questions still remain heading into Season 4
At Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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ABOUT THE SHOW
Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
What is At Even Strength: A Women's Hockey Podcast?
At Even Strength is your all-access pass to the full spectrum of women’s hockey. From the ice of the PWHL and NCAA to international tournaments and grassroots development, we cover every level of the game with insight, analysis, and conversation that matters.
Each week, we break down the biggest headlines, highlight standout players, and explore the stories shaping the sport—on and off the ice. Whether you’re a longtime fan, a player, or just discovering the women’s game, At Even Strength brings you the smart, honest, and passionate coverage women’s hockey deserves.