Fratkin's late goal rallies Boston to victory over Montreal, spot in PWHL playoffs

Kaleigh Fratkin scored with 80 seconds remaining and Boston clinched a berth in the postseason with a 4-3 victory over Montreal after blowing all of a three-goal third-period lead in a Professional Women's Hockey League regular-season finale at the Tsongas Center on Saturday.

Fratkin's winner, her second goal of the season, came with assists from Jessica Digirolamo and Susanna Tapani, and gave Boston the lead just 1:49 after a goal by Montreal's Marie-Philip Poulin evened the score.

Boston (8-4-3-9) needed a victory in regulation to qualify for the playoffs and keep Minnesota from clinching a spot. Minnesota ended the season on a five-match losing streak, all while needing just one point to qualify for the postseason in the league's inaugural campaign.

Boston took a 1-0 lead with 4:41 left in the first period when Hilary Knight scored for a sixth time this season. Hannah Brandt and Kelly Babstock had assists. It was Babstock's first helper of the season.

Boston took a two-goal lead with 1:18 left in the period after Alina Muller used assists from Theresa Schafzahl — her third — and Tapani to score her fifth goal of the campaign.

WATCH l Kaleigh Fratkin's late goal guides Boston past Montreal, into playoffs:

Knight and Brandt delivered assists when Megan Keller scored her fourth goal of the season with 6:23 left in the second period to give Boston a 3-0 lead. It was the fifth helper for both players.

Montreal (10-3-5-6) got on the scoreboard 3:43 into the final period on Mikyla Grant-Mentis' power-play goal. The score came after Babstock received a two-minute penalty for roughing. Amanda Boulier and Melodie Daoust had assists as Grant-Mentis found the net for the first time this season.

Montreal pulled within 3-2 on