The QMJHL semifinals begin Thursday night in Moncton, where the defending champions and top overall seed will host the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. The next day, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens will meet the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on the other side of the bracket with the Gilles-Courteau Trophy ever closer to being presented.
Moncton Wildcats vs. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada Preview
The Moncton Wildcats won both regular-season meetings convincingly by scores of 6-1 and 4-1. But context matters: Blainville-Boisbriand was unable to ice the full lineup it currently has in either matchup, and the version of the Armada arriving now appears far more dangerous.
Many viewed the Armada as the team to beat entering the season. Injuries and inconsistency complicated that path, but the club still finished fourth overall and seems to be peaking at the right time. After sweeping Victoriaville in the opening round, Blainville-Boisbriand was then pushed by the Newfoundland Regiment in a six-game series that could prove valuable moving forward.
Its identity is clear: attack, dictate the pace, and force opponents to keep up.
The Armada has scored 41 goals in 10 playoff games, one of the best offensive totals among the teams still standing. Justin Carbonneau continues to lead the charge, tied for second in playoff scoring with 15 points. On the blue line, Xavier Villeneuve has reminded everyone why he ranked so highly on NHL Central Scouting lists, collecting 10 points in 10 games after missing much of the second half.
But the other side of the equation remains concerning.
Despite an 8-2 record so far, the Armada has allowed 26 goals in 10 games. Against Moncton, defensive lapses could be punished quickly. The Wildcats have dominated through two rounds, posting 43 goals for and just 14 against, looking every bit like a team determined to defend its title.
They have also reached this stage without much resistance, winning their first eight playoff games. Some may see that as a disadvantage against an Armada group that has already been tested, but Moncton’s core knows exactly what a deep playoff run requires after last year’s championship.
Special teams could tilt the series.
Despite all of its offensive firepower, Blainville-Boisbriand’s power play is operating at just 10.3 percent. That is a major weakness against Moncton’s 87 percent penalty kill. Even more concerning, the Armada has been the most penalized team of the playoffs with 125 penalty minutes in 10 games, while also posting one of the weaker penalty kills among semifinalists at 76.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ power play is clicking at 24.5 percent — nearly once every four opportunities.
That difference could turn a long series into a much shorter one.
Elite talent exists on both sides. Gabe Smith, named the league’s top defensive forward this season, is also tied for second in playoff scoring with 15 points despite playing two fewer games than Carbonneau. If he continues producing offensively while shutting down top opposing lines, Moncton becomes even harder to beat.
The Armada has the offense to make this series compelling. But unless it tightens defensively and stays out of the penalty box, asking its offense to beat Moncton four times feels like too much.
My Pick: Moncton in 5
Chicoutimi Saguenéens vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies Preview
On the other side of the bracket, the second semifinal features the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2) and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (3), a matchup between two teams that fully earned contender status this season.
The two clubs met three times in the regular season. Chicoutimi won twice at home, while Rouyn-Noranda claimed the lone meeting in Abitibi — a detail that may hint at the importance of home ice in this series.
The Saguenéens, who finished just one point behind Moncton for first overall, have steamrolled opponents so far. In Round 1, the club seeking to end a 32-year championship drought — the longest active streak in the QMJHL — swept the Halifax Mooseheads by a combined score of 24-4.
In Round 2, Chicoutimi faced longtime rival Quebec Remparts. Once again, it was one-way traffic, as the Sags won in four games by a combined 15-2 margin.
It is hard to find a weakness in the Bleus so far. Through eight playoff games, they have scored 39 goals while allowing only six.
As in the regular season, QMJHL MVP Maxim Massé leads the way with 15 points in eight games. Emmanuel Vermette and Nathan Lecompte are close behind with 12 points each.
Acquired from Baie-Comeau in December, goaltender Lucas Beckman has been spectacular. The fourth-round pick of the Ottawa Senators owns a 0.75 goals-against average and .962 save percentage in eight starts, along with two shutouts against Quebec in Round 2.
Chicoutimi’s special teams have been just as dangerous. The power play is converting at 41.7 percent, while the penalty kill sits at 85.2 percent.
The one clear edge for the Huskies may be discipline. Rouyn-Noranda has taken only 68 penalty minutes in 11 games. If they hope to challenge Chicoutimi, staying out of the box will be essential.
Rouyn-Noranda’s playoff run has come in two phases. After winning the Western Conference, the Huskies opened against Gatineau, who finished 15th overall. The series looked over quickly after three straight Huskies wins, before the Olympiques stunned everyone by forcing Game 7.
Backed by home ice and a brilliant performance from Samuel Meloche, the Huskies closed it out with a convincing 5-0 win.
In Round 2, Rouyn-Noranda confirmed its regular-season strength by sweeping Shawinigan in four games, though several contests were tightly contested.
Up front, Thomas Verdon continues his outstanding season. After posting 95 points in the regular season, he now leads all playoff scorers with 17 points in 11 games. The Huskies also boast support from Benjamin Brunelle (15 points, 8 goals), Eliot Ogonowski (13), Antoine St-Laurent (12) and Samuel Beauchemin (11).
The Huskies also own the second-best power play among remaining teams at 28.2 percent. Against Chicoutimi’s structure and a red-hot Beckman, they will need to capitalize on every extra-man chance.
In goal, Meloche is another key piece. A fourth-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2025, he owns a 2.15 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. To slow Chicoutimi’s dangerous offense and match Beckman, he may need the best series of his season.
The Huskies have enough depth and talent to make life difficult for the Saguenéens. But considering Chicoutimi’s complete dominance so far — at even strength and on special teams — it is hard to bet against the wave they are riding.
My Pick: Chicoutimi in 5
Four teams, two spots in the final, and no margin for error. While Moncton and Chicoutimi appear to hold the edge on paper, the Huskies and Armada have enough talent to flip the script. The QMJHL Final Four promises high-level hockey — and possibly a few surprises.
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