By Andy McNamara | NLL.com Staff Writer
Photo Bill Wippert
The first post-trade deadline slate of matchups starts up Friday as five games roll across the National Lacrosse League this weekend. There are five weeks left in the regular season, which means just about every outcome will have an impact on playoff positioning.
Get caught up on the trade deadline transactions and what it means for the postseason push here: http://bit.ly/2oEn5cv
This season NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Mia Gordon, Tyson Geick, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week. Here are the standings so far:
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
GB |
| 1. Andy |
29 |
23 |
— |
| 2. Mia |
29 |
23 |
— |
| 3. Tyson |
27 |
25 |
2 |
| 4. Shanny |
25 |
27 |
4 |
Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.
Toronto Rock (8-5) at Vancouver Stealth (5-8) – Friday, 10:30pm ET
Andy
The Stealth will certainly be a motivated club as they get a chance for revenge following a one-sided loss in Toronto a week ago. Effort won’t be the problem, but their 1-5 home record coupled with the Rock being 4-1 on the road makes me go with the visitors.
Pick: Rock
Mia
The Vancouver Stealth have struggled to find their rhythm at home this season while Toronto is coming off probably the best weekend performance of their season so far. The Rock look rock solid and without injuries, I feel their team is fitting together well.
Pick: Rock
Tyson
The Rock more or less embarrassed the Stealth last weekend. This Vancouver team desperately needs A. a win at home, and B. a win, period, in order to hang on to playoff hopes – so I think you’ll see a lot of fight from this team this weekend.
Pick: Stealth
Shanny
Pick: Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #TORvsVAN
Colorado Mammoth (8-6) at Georgia Swarm (8-4) – Saturday, 7:05pm ET
Andy
This has game of the week written all over it. The Mammoth are trying to take first place in the West, while Georgia looks to hold on to top spot in the East.
Acquiring Brad Self at the NLL trade deadline gives Colorado more scoring depth and speed on transition. The Swarm have been hot and cold lately, but are still a dominant force at The Hive. I’ll take the home team by a goal.
Pick: Swarm
Mia
The Swarm have struggled defensively in their last few games, while the Mammoth have shined on the back end. Plus, they have the added star power up front of Zack Greer and Jeremy Noble who have looked solid since their return. The Mammoth just have a complete game right now.
Pick: Mammoth
Tyson
The Mammoth are hot right now, and the Swarm are not. I like the addition of Self to this team, who just keeps getting stronger as the weeks go by.
Pick: Mammoth
Shanny
Pick: Mammoth
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #COLvsGA
Saskatchewan Rush (8-4) at Buffalo Bandits (5-7) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
Buffalo was a surprise seller at the trade deadline shipping off 2016 Transition Player of the Year Brad Self and then Creighton Reid (via Colorado) for three future draft picks.
However, the Bandits are just a half game out of a playoff spot in the East and Saskatchewan has been awful on the road at 2-4. Regardless, I feel the Rush make this a statement outing and get back on track after last week’s defeat.
Pick: Rush
Mia
Pick: Rush
Tyson
The Rush are coming off of a tough loss to the Mammoth, but I think they’ll have learned a lot from their last weekend of lacrosse. This should be a great battle, but I have the defending champs coming out on top.
Pick: Rush
Shanny
Pick: Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #SASvsBUF
Calgary Roughnecks (5-9) at Rochester Knighthawks (5-8) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
I loved the addition of Creighton Reid by Calgary at the trade deadline. The veteran defender brings the size and toughness on the back end that the Roughnecks were looking for and proves that they are pushing hard for a postseason berth.
The Knighthawks are one game out of the final playoff spot in the East and also sit a half game back of Buffalo. It’s desperation mode for both these teams, but i’ll take the Riggers in what should be an entertaining battle.
Pick: Roughnecks
Mia
I don’t know what it is about the Knighthawks right now but I loved their fight last week. They really played like that game was a must win and even when I thought they were down and out they found a way to win. If they can get a strong start in this game, I think they can pull of a win and keep their playoff hopes alive
Pick: Knighthawks
Tyson
The Roughnecks exploded with 18 goals last weekend, and while you never know what you’re going to get with this team, I think they’ll be in good shape against Rochester, so long as they don’t take the team lightly.
Pick: Roughnecks
Shanny
Pick: Knighthawks
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #CALvsROC
Toronto Rock (???) at New England Black Wolves (6-7) – Sunday, 1pm ET
Andy
Can the Rock sweep back-to-back doubleheader weekends? Travel shouldn’t be an issue as they play in Vancouver Friday with a day inbetween before Sunday’s encounter in New England.
The Black Wolves surprised Toronto at the ACC back on March 3rd with a 10-9 overtime victory. I see this being another low scoring affair that the Rock pull out in the end.
Pick: Rock
Mia
The Toronto Rock have a tough weekend ahead with travel to Vancouver and then to New England, who has really enjoyed playing in front of the home crowd. New England is also in a dog fight for a playoff spot and needs to play every game like it is a make or break situation. Because of that I feel they are going to come out extra pumped up for this showdown and may pull off the upset.
Pick: Black Wolves
Tyson
Surprising that I go with the Rock on the second night of their travels, but I think this team will be able to dig deep and surprise the Black Wolves for their first win against this team this season.
Pick: Rock
Shanny
Pick: Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #TORvsNE
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.
