GAME PICKS: NLL Division Finals – Series Winners

After an exciting couple of Game 1 battles this past weekend the representatives in the 2017 NLL Champion’s Cup will be decided on Saturday night.

Georgia and Saskatchewan were both victorious and get to return home for the second game of the series. Can the two top seeds polish off Toronto and Colorado or will the underdogs pull off upsets?

Eliminated from playoffs- New England Black Wolves, Vancouver Stealth, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Knighthawks, Calgary Roughnecks.

NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Mia Gordon, Tyson Geick, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week. Here are the playoff standings:

Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.

East Division Final – Game 2

Toronto Rock at Georgia Swarm – Saturday, 7pm ET
Swarm leads series 1-0

Andy
Don’t let the 11-8 score last weekend fool you, these teams are evenly matched. Georgia overcame an early deficit and capitalized on a pair of empty net goals, but neither squad made any glaring mistakes. Both goaltenders were phenomenal and I see Game 2 being decided by one goal.

That goal difference will go in favor of the Rock who I feel can ride that emotional high to another close victory in the 10-minute tiebreaker contest. This is must watch lacrosse folks.

Pick to Win Series: Rock

Mia
I think Georgia will pull this off but they need their offence to come out to play

Pick to Win Series: Swarm

Tyson
They showed in Game 1 that even without the usual production from the Thompsons they could deliver in many other ways.

Pick to Win Series: Swarm

Shanny

Pick to Win Series: Swarm

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #TORvsGA

West Division Final – Game 2

Colorado Mammoth at Saskatchewan Rush, Saturday, 9:30pm ET
Rush lead series 1-0

Andy
Another deceiving score (18-9) as the Mammoth were right in it until Saskatchewan rattled off nine goals in the fourth quarter. Colorado will need to play it’s best lacrosse at the start of the game to try and quiet that rabid Rush crowd and then not allow a run of scoring at the end.

That’s quite the list to complete against a Sask club that went 8-1 at home this season. I see the Rush winning Game 2 and marching on to their third straight Champion’s Cup final.

Pick to Win the Series: Rush

Mia
The Rush have the playoff experience and on home turf they have been solid.

Pick to Win the Series: Rush

Tyson
Saskatchewan has the experience and confidence to put this series away.

Pick to Win the Series: Rush

Shanny

Pick to Win the Series: Rush

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #COLvsSAS

Get a full breakdown of the “Keys to Victory” for each team in the Division Finals here: http://bit.ly/2riNstl

Andy McNamara has been a play-by-play commentator for the NLL on TSN, NLLTV.com, and world lacrosse tournaments since 2011. He’s also a sport talk host and anchor on TSN 1050 sports radio. Follow Andy on twitter @AndyMc81.