The first round of the QMJHL playoffs delivered exactly what makes this time of year so unpredictable.
Some of the league’s top contenders wasted no time asserting their dominance, cruising through their matchups with commanding sweeps to reinforce their status as true championship threats. Elsewhere, the postseason reminded everyone just how fragile expectations can be — none more so than in Drummondville, where one of the biggest surprises of the opening round reshaped the bracket.
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And for half the league, there was nothing easy about moving on. Three series went the distance, pushing teams to their limits and setting the stage for a second round that now feels far more open — and far more dangerous — than it may have looked on paper just two weeks ago.
Now, eight teams remain. And the real separation begins.
(1) Moncton Wildcats vs (13) Val d’Or Foreurs
By finishing first overall, the Moncton Wildcats didn’t just secure the top seed — they reinforced their status as the team to beat in the Q, earning a first-round matchup against the lowest-ranked playoff qualifier.
That gap showed on the ice. Moncton made quick work of the Saint John Sea Dogs, sweeping the series in four games while outscoring them 21–6 in a dominant, wire-to-wire performance.
Now, as the Wildcats continue their push to defend their title, a new test awaits in Round 2 — their first trip outside the Maritimes this postseason.
Waiting for them are the Val-d'Or Foreurs, who flipped the script in the opening round. Widely viewed as underdogs against the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Val-d’Or didn’t just pull off the upset — they controlled the series, dispatching Drummondville in five games.
The Foreurs were driven by a standout trio. Alix Durocher — playing against his hometown team — set the tone offensively, while Maxime Coursol provided consistent production. Between the pipes, Emile Beaunoyer was a difference-maker, posting impressive numbers and giving the Voltigeurs little to no room to solve him.
My pick: Moncton in 5
(2) Chicoutimi Saguenéens vs (9) Quebec Remparts
The last time these two teams met in the QMJHL playoffs, the script looked very different. Back in 2022, the Quebec Remparts got the better of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on their way to a championship run.
This time around, momentum clearly tilts the other way. The “Bleus” dominated the season series, winning eight of the matchups between the two clubs. Still, history runs deep between these franchises — and when that’s the case, regular season results tend to mean very little. Expect a series with edge, emotion, and plenty of fireworks.
Their paths to Round 2 couldn’t have been more different. Chicoutimi made a statement right out of the gate, overwhelming the Halifax Mooseheads with a 24–4 goal differential in a commanding four-game sweep.
Quebec, meanwhile, had to earn every inch. The Remparts found themselves trailing 3–2 in their series against the Charlottetown Islanders before digging deep to win back-to-back road games. They were backstopped by Patrick Deniger, who delivered a 22-save shutout in the decisive game — a performance that perfectly captured the resilience this group showed under pressure.
My pick: Chicoutimi in 5
(3) Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs (7) Shawinigan Cataractes
Finishing first in the Western Conference, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies entered the playoffs as heavy favorites against the Gatineau Olympiques — and early on, they looked every bit the part.
Rouyn-Noranda stormed out to a 3–0 series lead, fueled in large part by goaltender Samuel Meloche, who posted back-to-back shutouts to open the series. A sweep felt inevitable.
But the script flipped. Gatineau found life, clawing their way back into the series and forcing a decisive Game 7, turning what once looked like a mismatch into a battle. In the end, though, Meloche slammed the door one more time — delivering his third shutout of the series in a dominant 5–0 win to close things out.
That adversity may prove valuable, because their next opponent knows all about surviving chaos.
The Shawinigan Cataractes endured one of the most turbulent first rounds of any team left standing. They dropped their first two games at home, lost key pieces along the way — including seeing Felix Lacerte scratched in Game 5 and another core forward sidelined by suspension — and at one point lost their first three home games of the series.
And yet, they found a way.
Shawinigan battled back to force — and win — a Game 7 on home ice, showing the kind of resilience that defined their run last season, when they came within a single goal of reaching the final.
Now, two battle-tested teams collide — both pushed to the brink, both still standing.
My pick: Shawinigan in 6
(4) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs (6) Newfoundland Regiment
Fireworks expected. These two teams combined for 43 goals in the opening round — and now they collide in what could be the most explosive matchup of the second round.
After a relatively contained first round — a short trip to Victoriaville for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and an all-Maritimes battle for the Newfoundland Regiment — both sides now face a very different challenge: long travel and quick turnarounds that could test depth and structure.
If the first round told us anything, it’s this: offense hasn’t been an issue. Defense? That’s another story.
Chances will be there — plenty of them. And in a series that figures to be wide open, the difference may come down to one simple factor: which team can capitalize when it matters most.
Expect goals. And expect the team that finishes best to punch its ticket to the semifinals.
My pick: Blainville in 6
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