Five Victoire Skaters Who Need To Step Up on the Scoresheet This Season

Last year, the Montreal Victoire finished second in goalscoring in the PWHL, but nearly 40% of those goals were netted by either Marie-Philip Poulin or Laura Stacey. While it’s hardly a bad thing to have two of the league’s top offensive talents, the lack of secondary scoring was an issue all year. Through stretches where Poulin and Stacey weren’t scoring, the team was losing. And when the playoffs came around, that lack of offence cost them, with just six goals across four games.

After expansion and free agency, Montreal's roster looks a little different this season. We know they can expect goalscoring from Poulin, Stacey, and new adds like Shiann Darkangelo and Abby Roque. But where can they find improved secondary scoring this year? From returning players to draftees and signings hoping to flourish in a new environment, here are some players who will need to step up on the scoresheet for Montreal this season:

Lina Ljungblom

Ljungblom has a disappointing rookie season, tallying just three goals and three points. It was a stark contrast to the strong numbers she put up through her time in the SDHL and on the international stage. Now with a year under her belt, the pressure is on for the soon-to-be 24-year-old to find her goalscoring touch this season. As she gears up to compete with Sweden at the Winter Olympics, hopefully it will bring a little extra swagger to her game.

Nicole Gosling

Montreal’s blue line took a big hit over the summer, losing Cayla Barnes, Anna Wilgren, and Mariah Keopple to PWHL Seattle. The three defenders were responsible for the majority of blue line's scoresheet contributions, which were limited. Accordingly, the Victoire selected 23-year-old defender Nicole Gosling in June’s PWHL Entry Draft. Gosling’s goalscoring abilities improved through her time in college, racking up 26 goals in 80 games across her last two seasons with Clarkson. While it may take some time to find that in a professional environment, Montreal is hoping she can play an Sophie Jaques-type role and bring some much needed offence to the team’s defensive unit.

Hayley Scamurra

Scamurra scored five times in the PWHL’s inaugural season, but only found the back of the net once last season. Scamurra has shown her ability to score in the NCAA and the NWHL, and with Team USA internationally, but has gone quiet in this new league. Signing with Montreal back in June, she’ll now benefit from the chance to play alongside the likes of Roque, Darkangelo, and Maureen Murphy to try and get those numbers up once again.

Jade Downie-Landry

It’s a homecoming season for Quebec native and McGill alum Jade Downie-Landry, and she’ll surely be looking to put it all out on the ice. Downie-Landry had eight goals in her first year in the PWHL, but half that last season. Likely to start in a bottom-six role for Montreal, her ability to put pucks in the net will be a key factor in stretching the Victoire’s depth through all four lines.

Erin Ambrose

Let’s call Ambrose an honourable mention. The veteran defender finished tied for the team lead in assists last season, but failed to find the back of the net. In her end-of-year media availability, she spoke openly about her disappointment with her performance and her desire to push herself harder next season. While anyone watching could see she’s one of the league’s best, that drive to keep improving is what makes her truly great. She’s never been a goalscorer, but she’s exactly the kind of player that can step up for Montreal this season and be a difference maker when it counts.