First came the free fall, with Minnesota losing its final five games of the Professional Women’s Hockey League regular season. Then came what amounted to a free pass, which came despite being unable to take advantage of having its playoff fate in its own hands heading down the stretch.

Minnesota forward Abby Boreen (24) celebrates after scoring against Ottawa during the second period of a PWHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Now, Minnesota must find a way to return to playing free and easy if it is going to upset top-seed Toronto in the best-of-five PWHL semifinal. Games 1 and 2 will be played Wednesday and Friday in Toronto. Game 3 is set for Monday at Xcel Energy Center.

“Thankfully, the hockey gods allowed us to get in when we couldn’t take care of our own business,” Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz said. “I hope the team is refreshed and renewed, knowing that they might have had something taken away from them, and they got a second life.”

Asked where he feels the team is mentally in advance of Game 1, head coach Ken Klee said he believes there is a sense of relief.

“The pressure was mounting a bit,” Klee said. “There was a lot with the travel coming off the break. Then losing a game in the last minute in Montreal. Then losing a game with two seconds to go against Boston.

“I just think there was a lot of mental stress on us. But now we’re 0-0 now like the other three teams, and we’re excited to go.”

Minnesota’s calling card for most of the season has been a stingy defense backed up by solid goaltending. But it gave up 19 goals in the five-game losing streak, an average of 3.8 per game.

The team mantra is getting back to playing its game.

“I think you throw the results out and then take some of the good and the bad that happened in those five games,” forward Kelly Pannek said. “At this point, take what we can learn, as well as the positives.”

Klee said the key will be “getting back to doing the little things well.”

“Obviously, special teams are going to be key,” Klee added. “Our penalty kill needs to be better, our power play needs to be better. We’ve shown spurts that we can do it. It’s just about being consistent.”

Minnesota was in the hunt for the regular season title until the five-game skid. It beat Toronto 3-1 in the first meeting between the teams and lost in overtime in one of its three losses to Toronto.

“We know the talent we have on the ice,” Darwitz said. “We know what we can do. Obviously we’re in a little bit of a rut right now, and it takes just one bounce, one momentum change, to get out of that.”

Toronto scored a league-high 69 goals during the regular season while allowing a league-low 50. The offense is led by likely league Most Valuable Player Natalie Spooner, who led the PWHL in goals (20) and points (27). Right behind her is teammate Sarah Nurse, who collected 11 goals and 12 assists.

Minnesota can counter with some stars of its own, including Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise, who were key members of Team USA in the World Championship, and top goal scorer Grace Zumwinkle.

“Now we need our big players to play big,” Klee said. “There’s no hiding from it, and I think they’re going to embrace it.”

Minnesota will get a boost with the return of forward Abby Boreen to the lineup. Boreen’s availability this season has been limited while she attends pharmacy school at the U. She’s back on a final 10-day contract.

When Boreen’s been in the lineup she has been productive, scoring four goals in nine games. She adds some physical play up front, which will be needed against Toronto.

“I don’t think that there’s any doubt that we’re a very physical team, and we like to play fast,” Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull said. “When you look at NHL teams that are successful in the playoffs, they are teams that are able to sustain a physical game and a fast game over a series.

“We’re well equipped for the playoffs.”

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