Ottawa's rise to a team that’s two wins away from winning the Walter Cup began with a trade deadline that many viewed as a head-scratcher.

Kendall Coyne Schofield delivered a cautionary message when assessing the edge in playoff experience she and the defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost enjoy entering the PWHL Finals against the Ottawa Charge.

The Professional Women's Hockey League has a unique playoff format, and it's the reason why the defending-champion Minnesota Frost are facing the Ottawa Charge in the finals Tuesday night. The intrigue: The PWHL lets the top regular season team — this year, Montréal — pick its first-round opponent.