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BUF at SD - Sat. 10pm ET on ESPNews Schedule

×
WK
1
Fri, Dec 2
FINAL
Philadelphia
8
Halifax
18
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Vancouver
8
Toronto
19
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
San Diego
15
New York
14
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Albany
11
Buffalo
10
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Rochester
16
Georgia
11
Sat, Dec 3
FINAL
Colorado
6
Saskatchewan
18
WK
2
Fri, Dec 9
FINAL
Las Vegas
11
Panther City
13
Fri, Dec 9
FINAL/OT
Saskatchewan
12
San Diego
13
Sat, Dec 10
FINAL
Toronto
7
Rochester
11
Sat, Dec 10
FINAL
Vancouver
9
Calgary
11
WK
3
Fri, Dec 16
FINAL
Calgary
14
Vancouver
5
Fri, Dec 16
FINAL
Panther City
9
Las Vegas
3
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Buffalo
11
Toronto
8
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Rochester
14
Albany
13
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Philadelphia
13
Georgia
12
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Halifax
20
New York
11
Sat, Dec 17
FINAL
Colorado
12
Panther City
9
WK
5
Fri, Dec 30
FINAL
Halifax
13
Buffalo
18
Fri, Dec 30
FINAL
San Diego
17
Calgary
14
Sat, Dec 31
FINAL
Panther City
9
Saskatchewan
11
WK
6
Fri, Jan 6
FINAL
Philadelphia
14
Las Vegas
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Panther City
9
Rochester
17
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Halifax
14
Albany
11
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Buffalo
18
Georgia
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Toronto
15
New York
7
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Calgary
8
Colorado
9
Sat, Jan 7
FINAL
Vancouver
11
San Diego
16
WK
7
Fri, Jan 13
FINAL/OT
Albany
11
Halifax
10
Fri, Jan 13
FINAL/OT
Saskatchewan
10
Colorado
11
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Halifax
8
Toronto
17
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Panther City
12
Philadelphia
10
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Georgia
9
Buffalo
11
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
San Diego
10
Calgary
14
Sat, Jan 14
FINAL
Las Vegas
16
Vancouver
19
Sun, Jan 15
FINAL
Rochester
11
New York
8
WK
8
Fri, Jan 20
FINAL
Buffalo
12
Rochester
15
Fri, Jan 20
FINAL
Vancouver
14
Las Vegas
15
Sat, Jan 21
FINAL
Toronto
14
Philadelphia
5
Sat, Jan 21
FINAL
New York
16
Albany
10
WK
9
Fri, Jan 27
FINAL
Rochester
7
Halifax
17
Fri, Jan 27
FINAL
Buffalo
13
Philadelphia
9
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Buffalo
16
New York
10
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Las Vegas
10
Saskatchewan
15
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL/OT
Toronto
11
Calgary
10
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
San Diego
13
Colorado
9
Sat, Jan 28
FINAL
Panther City
20
Vancouver
7
WK
10
Fri, Feb 3
FINAL
Georgia
10
Colorado
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL/OT
Calgary
12
Halifax
11
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
New York
14
Toronto
22
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Albany
5
Philadelphia
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Rochester
10
Buffalo
13
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Panther City
10
San Diego
12
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Saskatchewan
14
Vancouver
8
Sat, Feb 4
FINAL
Colorado
8
Las Vegas
13
WK
11
Fri, Feb 10
FINAL
Toronto
11
Georgia
10
Fri, Feb 10
FINAL
Saskatchewan
6
Calgary
13
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Halifax
14
Rochester
16
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Albany
12
New York
14
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Vancouver
13
Panther City
14
Sat, Feb 11
FINAL
Colorado
9
Calgary
13
WK
12
Fri, Feb 17
FINAL
Calgary
14
Vancouver
9
Fri, Feb 17
FINAL
Saskatchewan
16
San Diego
11
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Georgia
7
Toronto
16
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Las Vegas
12
Albany
10
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL/OT
Philadelphia
12
Buffalo
13
Sat, Feb 18
FINAL
Colorado
7
Panther City
13
Sun, Feb 19
FINAL
New York
12
Halifax
13
WK
13
Fri, Feb 24
FINAL
Panther City
12
Colorado
14
Fri, Feb 24
FINAL
Calgary
9
Las Vegas
11
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL/OT
New York
10
Rochester
11
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL
Albany
4
Georgia
20
Sat, Feb 25
FINAL
Vancouver
16
Saskatchewan
12
WK
14
Fri, Mar 3
FINAL
Buffalo
10
Halifax
9
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
New York
12
Philadelphia
19
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Las Vegas
12
San Diego
15
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Rochester
8
Toronto
9
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL/OT
Georgia
9
Albany
8
Sat, Mar 4
FINAL
Saskatchewan
10
Panther City
16
Mon, Mar 6
FINAL
Toronto
10
Philadelphia
11
WK
15
Fri, Mar 10
FINAL/OT
Halifax
9
Buffalo
10
Fri, Mar 10
FINAL
Calgary
16
Colorado
10
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Albany
6
Toronto
12
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Philadelphia
10
New York
13
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
San Diego
12
Saskatchewan
11
Sat, Mar 11
FINAL
Vancouver
14
Las Vegas
5
Sun, Mar 12
FINAL
Rochester
19
Georgia
18
WK
16
Fri, Mar 17
FINAL
Saskatchewan
6
Calgary
11
Fri, Mar 17
FINAL
San Diego
16
Vancouver
9
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Georgia
13
Philadelphia
12
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Toronto
12
Halifax
14
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Albany
10
New York
13
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Colorado
13
Buffalo
8
Sat, Mar 18
FINAL
Las Vegas
8
Panther City
11
Sun, Mar 19
FINAL/OT
Philadelphia
9
Rochester
8
WK
17
Fri, Mar 24
20:30:00
San Diego
Panther City
Sat, Mar 25
19:00:00
Toronto
Albany
Sat, Mar 25
19:00:00
Halifax
Philadelphia
Sat, Mar 25
19:30:00
Georgia
New York
Sat, Mar 25
21:30:00
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Sat, Mar 25
22:00:00
Buffalo
San Diego
Sat, Mar 25
22:00:00
Colorado
Vancouver
Sat, Mar 25
22:30:00
Rochester
Las Vegas
WK
18
Fri, Mar 31
19:00:00
New York
Georgia
Fri, Mar 31
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Colorado
Fri, Mar 31
22:00:00
Calgary
San Diego
Sat, Apr 1
19:00:00
Buffalo
Toronto
Sat, Apr 1
20:00:00
Albany
Panther City
Sat, Apr 1
21:30:00
Vancouver
Saskatchewan
Sun, Apr 2
13:00:00
Georgia
Halifax
Sun, Apr 2
18:00:00
Rochester
Philadelphia
WK
19
Sat, Apr 8
19:00:00
Albany
Rochester
Sat, Apr 8
19:00:00
Saskatchewan
Georgia
Sat, Apr 8
21:00:00
Panther City
Calgary
Sat, Apr 8
21:00:00
Vancouver
Colorado
Sat, Apr 8
22:30:00
San Diego
Las Vegas
WK
20
Fri, Apr 14
21:00:00
Las Vegas
Calgary
Fri, Apr 14
21:00:00
San Diego
Colorado
Sat, Apr 15
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Toronto
Sat, Apr 15
19:00:00
Georgia
Albany
Sat, Apr 15
19:30:00
New York
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 15
21:30:00
Halifax
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 15
22:00:00
Panther City
Vancouver
WK
21
Fri, Apr 21
20:30:00
Calgary
Panther City
Sat, Apr 22
18:00:00
New York
Halifax
Sat, Apr 22
19:00:00
Georgia
Rochester
Sat, Apr 22
20:00:00
Toronto
Buffalo
Sat, Apr 22
21:30:00
Colorado
Saskatchewan
Sat, Apr 22
22:00:00
Las Vegas
San Diego
Sun, Apr 23
15:00:00
Philadelphia
Albany
WK
22
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Philadelphia
Rochester
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Buffalo
Albany
Sat, Apr 29
19:00:00
Halifax
Georgia
Sat, Apr 29
22:00:00
Colorado
San Diego
Sat, Apr 29
22:00:00
New York
Vancouver
Sat, Apr 29
22:30:00
Saskatchewan
Las Vegas
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Game Previews

GAME PICKS: NLL Week 3

After this weekend every National Lacrosse League franchise will have seen action as we get ready to turn the calendar to 2019. A busy five game schedule gives fans a pile of late Christmas presents and it all starts Friday night!

 

NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Renee Washington, Devan Kaney, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week.

 

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

 

Last Week’s game picks results:

 

Andy: 1-2

Shanny: 2-1

Renee: 0-3

Devan: 2-1

 

Let’s get to the game predictions!

 

Saskatchewan Rush (0-0) at New England Black Wolves (0-1) – Friday, 7:30pm ET

 

Andy

Well the reigning NLL champs finally take the floor Friday to begin their title defense and it comes on the road. Despite Sasktel Centre having an incredible atmosphere, the Rush actually were dominant away from Saskatoon with a 8-1 record in 2018. Saskatchewan continues to be stacked on the attack, in their backend and on transition.

 

The Black Wolves do possess weapons, but Week 1 displayed some of the same frustrating inconsistencies that plagued the club last year. Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan told me at the start of last season that the goal was to come out of the gate fast and take control of the division early. I doubt that idea’s changed. Saskatchewan sends a message in New England.

Pick: RUSH

 

Shanny

Pick: RUSH

 

Renee

New England has a tough start to the season playing Georgia in game one and now the defending 2018 NLL Champions, Saskatchewan, in game two. Head Coach Glenn Clark said they’ve have been preaching off ball movement and being dynamic offensively, so this is good early test for their offensive players like Callum Crawford, Tyler Digby, and Reilly O’Connor.

 

For Saskatchewan, in my opinion, after being top of the league in scoring last season, with players like Mark Matthews, Rob Church, and Ben McIntosh, Jeff Shattler returning, Saskatchewan will pick up where they finished. Between having a strong, organized defense that was also top in the league for goals against last season and the talented offensive threats, The Rush will defeat New England this weekend.

Pick: RUSH

 

Devan

I gotta go with the reigning champs on this one. In their first game against the Swarm, Black Wolves Head Coach Glenn Clark was pretty frustrated with his team – and rightfully so. New England didn’t score at all in the second quarter and didn’t settle into the game until it was too late. While I do think New England will hit the ground running this game, they just can’t match the talent on the Rush. Saskatchewan still has Head Coach of the Year, Derek Keenan, MVP Mark Matthews, Jeff Shattler, and they just signed Robert Church to a three-year deal. I don’t think New England’s defense can hold off the Rush enough to get a Win.

Pick: RUSH

 

Tweet at @NLL using #SSKvsNE

 

Georgia Swarm (1-0) at Toronto Rock (1-0) – Friday, 7:30pm ET

 

Andy

After a sluggish first quarter the Rock’s offense took over in Buffalo and never looked back. Toronto’s attack was clicking almost at the same clip it was before Tom Schreiber’s injury last year, where they averaged 20.5 goals over a four game stretch. This squad feels they own the horses to make a real run at the Champions Cup.

 

We all know how dangerous the Swarm can be led by thoroughbred Lyle Thompson and Georgia would love to remind the rest of the East why they owned the best record in the division a year ago. The Swarm swept Toronto in the 2018 season series, but two of the three victories came by a single score. These crews always put on an entertaining battle head-to-head and I expect nothing less. I’m giving a slight edge to the home side.

Pick: ROCK

 

Shanny

Pick: ROCK

 

Renee

This is a tough game to pick a winner this early in the season. I picked against Toronto last week, but am going to have to do it again. Nick Rose had a tremendous game in net versus Buffalo last weekend. Rose and the Rock’s organized defense held the Bandits scoreless for long stretches of time, including the second quarter Toronto run. This week with the depth and talent of Georgia, players like Challen Rogers are going to have their hands full. It will be fun to watch Tom Schreiber and Rob Hellyer on one end of the floor with Lyle Thompson, Randy Staats, and Miles Thompson on the other end.

 

The Swarm have the ability to be versatile offensively, sometimes getting into more of a passing game versus more 1 v 1 isolation offenses at times. I pick Georgia to win over Toronto.

Pick: SWARM

 

Devan

The Toronto Rock are coming into this game hot off a season-opener win against the Bandits while the Swarm had a bye week. Tom Schreiber proved he hasn’t missed a beat since coming back from injury – leading Toronto’s offense last week with 3 goals and 4 assists. Not to mention other Rock talent like Challen Rogers and Billy Hostrawser who played one of his best games last week. That’s not to say the Swarm won’t put up a good fight. With Bryan Cole leading Georgia’s defense and Poulin in goal, this team could be hard to beat, but I think Toronto will find a way.

Pick: ROCK

 

Tweet at @NLL using #GAvsTOR

 

Vancouver Warriors (1-1) at Buffalo Bandits (1-1) – Friday, 7:30pm ET

 

Andy

Buffalo’s big offseason acquisition of legendary goaltender Matt Vinc has gotten off to a shaky 1-1 start. I believe Vinc, and this team as a whole, is still getting accustomed to one another and the veteran netminder will find his groove soon. Soon as in this week at home. However, Vancouver is no joke and is playing like a group with something to prove. They’ll need to put on a better effort than the eight tallies they buried in the loss to Calgary this past Friday.

 

Overall the Warriors will be dangerous, but I’m feeling a statement game by Buffalo to remind the rest of the league that you don’t want to play in Banditland.

Pick: BANDITS

 

Shanny

Pick: BANDITS

 

Renee

The Bandits are back at home looking to figure things out on both sides of the ball. I think Buffalo is is going through a rough patch trying to get their defense and Matt Vinc on the same page.  It will be interesting to see how the squad responds to last game. They look disconnected or down on themselves at times which seems to carry into their attack.

 

I think Vancouver is playing much stronger as a team. We see players like Logan Schuss and Mitch Jones stepping up offensively along with Matt Beers, Zack Porter, and Colton Porter finding ways to disrupt opponents attacks on the other end. I think the Warriors will minimize their penalties throughout this game and continues to play with an underdog, determinate focus to get this win.

Pick: WARRIORS

 

Devan

Buffalo is hungry for a win! And they’ll get it…if the Bandits can hold onto a lead, which they have yet to do this season. The team is coming off of a too-close-for-comfort season open win over Philly, and a loss to the Toronto Rock. Matt Vinc isn’t playing his best game, but you know who is? Thomas Hoggarth. If Hoggarth has another outstanding game and players like Josh Byrne and Corey Small continue to shine, I don’t think the Warriors defense can hold them off.

 

However, the Warriors seem to be operating as one cohesive unit, which I think is a big advantage and why they have surprised a lot of people this season. If the Bandits want to bounce back from a rocky start, they need to start playing like a team.

Pick: BANDITS

 

Tweet at @NLL using #VANvsBUF

 

San Diego Seals (1-0) at Calgary Roughnecks (1-1) – Friday, 9pm ET

 

Andy

It’s difficult to predict how an expansion club will perform in their first ever franchise regular season matchup. Well all San Diego did was go into one of the loudest NLL buildings and win by five goals. I certainly underestimated them, and I’m not making that mistake again!

 

Calgary split a home-and-home with Vancouver, getting the better of the Warriors by holding them to just eight goals. Their stars on offense shone and the defense/goaltending shut down just about anything that came their way. The key for the Roughnecks will be to jump out to an early lead and try to clamp down. Problem is that the Seals are so diverse with the ball in their sticks. San Diego can really turn heads by beginning their existence with two victories on the road…and I’ll roll the dice that they get it done.

Pick: SEALS

 

Shanny

Pick: ROUGHNECKS

 

Renee

Another tough game to pick a winner! This could be a coin toss with how these two teams have been playing. San Diego made a statement in their debut into the league. They have a great combination of rookies in Austin Staats and Connor Kearnan along with veteran leaders Adrian Sorichetti, Turner Evans, and Brodie Merrill. On the other hand,
Calgary improved tremendously from week one to two. We saw Rhys Duch, Tyler Pace, and Riley Loewen step up offensively to work alongside Dane Dobbie to elevate the Riggers offense this past weekend. It will be two teams that move well off the ball with special goal scorers in Dobbie vs. Staats, but I think the Seals win in the end.

Pick: SEALS

 

Devan

Yes, the Seals have Austin Staats. Yes, the Seals have a stacked roster. But, I think the Roughnecks will test if San Diego really has what it takes, and that starts with shutting down Staats. Calgary has a fast and gritty defense led by captain Dan MacRae and I don’t think they will allow as many points on the board as Colorado did last week. No matter how hard Calgary’s defense plays, this game will come down to shots on goal, and if the Roughnecks want to win, they need every single guy on offense to step it up.

Pick: ROUGHNECKS

 

Tweet at @NLL using #SDvsCGY

 

Philadelphia Wings (0-1) at Rochester Knighthawks (0-0) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET

 

Andy

The Knighthawks kickoff their 2018/19 campaign with something to prove after a NLL Champions Cup final loss to Saskatchewan this past June. Rochester is one of the more complete groups with an enviable combination of youthful and veteran star power that blends into a physical concoction that can light up the scoreboard.

 

It’s great to see the league back in Philadelphia as the Wings search for their first “W”. Like any Philly sports franchise this expansion locker room is gritty and can never be counted out. It’ll be interesting to see the adjustments made off a bye and what second overall draft pick Chris Cloutier can do to follow up on his two goal, four assist debut.

 

The Knighthawks get my vote in this early season contest due to their chemistry and experience as a total unit.

Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS

 

Shanny

Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS

 

Renee

The Wings return after a bye week to play their first road game. We saw glimpses of greatness in the second half of their loss to the Bandits in the season opener, when they stormed back into the game with maturity and composure. However, Rochester returns several talented players with Joe Restetarits and Cody Jamieson offensively plus Graeme Hossack and 2018 Rookie of the Year Jack Withers on defense. The season opener marks the first game without Matt Vinc in net, but with those two smart, scrappy defenders grabbing loose balls and forcing turnovers I think last year’s NLL Finalists win over Philly.

Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS

 

Devan

This is Rochester’s home opener and first game of the season. We have a team that played in the NLL Cup Finals last year versus an expansion team. While I was very impressed by Philadelphia’s tenacity in their first game, I don’t think they have the experience to pull off a win away from home. Going with the Knighthawks on this one.

Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS

 

Tweet at @NLL using #PHIvsROC

 

 

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 @AndyMc

NLL