I'm not sure I would describe the playoff race as "heating up," given that 75% of the playoff berths are effectively buttoned up:
Behind the trio of top teams however, is where the real race resides. Despite expanding to eight teams this season, the PWHL decided to maintain a four team playoff system. With their regulation win over last place Seattle, coupled with Toronto's regulation loss to Vancouver, the Ottawa Charge vaulted into the fourth and final playoff spot where they sit with 33 points in 23 games. Toronto now finds themselves in fifth place with 31 points in 24 games. The two teams will play each other three more times this season in what nearly amounts to a play-in style showdown.