We’ve already seen an upset in NCAA women’s college hockey, and some programs were still finishing the final week of the 2025-26 season.
The opening round of conference playoffs began for some teams, including Union College, which upset nationally ranked Clarkson.
Rounding out the opening round of ECAC playoffs, Colgate ousted RPI, Brown eliminated Dartmouth, and Harvard edged St. Lawrence in overtime. In Atlantic Hockey America, Lindenwood eliminated Robert Morris to set up a playoff matchup against Mercyhurst, while Syracuse beat RIT in double overtime to advance to face Penn State.
Hockey East, NEWHA and WCHA finished their regular seasons this week and will now enter conference playoff competition.
The playoffs have arrived, Olympians have already started returning, and NCAA women’s hockey is now at the point of win-or-go-home for most teams.
Here’s a look at the top 10 NCAA women’s hockey programs this week:
Women’s college hockey power rankings
1. Wisconsin (WCHA)
A weekend sweep over St. Cloud State locked up the top spot in the WCHA for Wisconsin, guaranteeing it the top playoff seed. Lacey Eden had four goals and four assists in the two games. When the playoffs open, Wisconsin will have its full arsenal returning, including Olympic MVP, co-leading scorer, best defender, and all-star Caroline Harvey, fellow gold medallist and all-star Laila Edwards, and others.
2. Ohio State (WCHA)
Against Bemidji State, the Buckeyes’ offense went to work, scoring 13 goals in a series sweep. After missing much of the season, Kaia Malachino has been a catalyst since her return, scoring five goals this past weekend. Hailey MacLeod had an up-and-down weekend in net, which remains Ohio State’s biggest question mark. She allowed four goals on 36 shots across both games.
3. Minnesota (WCHA)
Despite the return of Olympians Nelli Laitinen and Tereza Plosova, Minnesota stumbled hard, losing both games to Minnesota-Duluth. Both games were one-goal losses, with the Friday game needing overtime. Perhaps they underestimated the Bulldogs, which have been on a downward spiral for more than a month. Either way, the Gophers are lucky this happened now and not in the playoffs.
4. Quinnipiac (ECAC)
After an opening round bye, Quinnipiac prepares for Brown, which has proven to be a worthy competitor this season. Quinnipiac will lean on netminder Felicia Frank and Kahlen Lamarche, who is the second leading goal-scorer in the nation. Their formidable group also includes Zoe Uens, Makayla Watson, Laurence Frenette and Emerson Jarvis.
5. Northeastern (Hockey East)
The Huskies knocked off UConn, then beat Providence to close out their season. Stryker Zablocki has emerged as not only one of the top rookies in the nation but one of the top players, period. Alongside Lily Shannon, they’re a dynamic one-two punch. Northeastern has dealt with injuries, but overall, this program is building toward something bigger again after years of watching star after star turn pro.
6. Penn State (AHA)
Penn State will face Syracuse in the opening round of the AHA playoffs. They went 4-0 against Syracuse this season, outscoring their opponent 25-5. Those games got closer as the season went on, but the Nittany Lions are the overwhelming favorites, especially with the return of Olympic gold medallist and captain Tessa Janecke and Italianstandout Matilde Fantin.
7. Yale (ECAC)
Yale did not play this past weekend after recording a shutout win over Princeton and an overtime loss to Quinnipiac the week before. They’ll face Union College in a best-of-three series starting this Friday. Yale is peaking at the right time, having won 14 of its last 15 games and not losing in regulation since Dec. 6. Their leading scorers, Carina DiAntonio and Jordan Ray, could be selected in the PWHL draft.
8. UConn (Hockey East)
After falling in overtime to Northeastern, UConn bounced back with a win over Merrimack to close its season. Connecticut got a massive spark from second-year forward Claire Murdoch, who has had a difficult sophomore season. Murdoch scored a goal and an assist against Northeastern, and she then notched a hat trick against Merrimack. She’s the kind of threat the Huskies have needed.
9. Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA)
Guess who’s back? After back-to-back overtime wins over No. 3 Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth showed why it was a top-five team for most of the season. Senior Tova Henderson was the hero, scoring the overtime-winner in both games. She’s headed into the PWHL draft this off-season, and it’s clear that Henderson and the Bulldogs want to extend their season by taking another shot at a national title.
10. Princeton (ECAC)
Princeton won’t have an easy first game in the ECAC playoffs, facing Harvard, which knocked off St. Lawrence in overtime to advance. The Crimson have proven worthy competitors and have solid goaltending with Ainsley Tuffy. Princeton’s high-powered offense will get a test, and first-year coach Courtney Kessel will have her chance to put a positive mark on the program.