Three games on the National Lacrosse League Week 3 slate. Five of the six teams in action are undefeated, while the defending champion Swarm look to get back on track for a repeat.
NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Ashley Docking, Tyson Geick, 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.
Buffalo Bandits (1-0) at Rochester Knighthawks (1-0)- Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
Ah I love these nasty New York state East wars. Records and rosters never seem to matter much, however, early positioning in the division is at stake. Interesting matchup here – I’m bullish on Rochester this season and Buffalo really impressed me in their opening victory against Toronto.
The Bandits are playing with an edge and are out to prove that last year’s disappointment was a fluke. I’ll take the orange and black.
Pick: Bandits
Ashley
Pick: Knighthawks
Tyson
Rochester played a complete game against the Calgary Roughnecks in Week 1, and they impressed me on all ends of the floor. This will be a close game, but in the end I think Matt Vinc will be the X-Factor (sorry Bandits Twitter!).
Pick: Knighthawks
Shanny
Pick: Knighthawks
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #BUFvsROC
New England Black Wolves (1-0) at Saskatchewan Rush (1-0)- Saturday, 8:30pm ET
Andy
New England downed one half of last season’s Champion’s Cup final in Week 1, can they take out the other half? What a statement that would be to do it again on the road. The Rush were methodical in defeating Toronto this past Saturday and wow did Evan Kirk look good in net.
The Black Wolves will hang around, but I’m not betting against the home team in Saskatoon.
Pick: Rush
Ashley
Pick: Rush
Tyson
Home opener. New season. Sask is scary good. New England’s going to have to play an extremely disciplined game to stay in this one, and if they do, it’ll be close. I still give the Rush the edge, though.
Pick: Rush
Shanny
Pick: Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #NEvsSAS
Georgia Swarm (0-1) at Colorado Mammoth (1-0)- Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
Historically dominant at Pepsi Center the Mammoth were only 5-4 on their raucous turf in 2017. After a dominant road win versus the Stealth, Colorado has its hands full when Georgia comes to town. The Swarm were stung opening weekend and we all know how incredibly potent their offense is.
I wouldn’t be overly surprised if the championship hangover/slow start carried into this game for Georgia, but I just can’t see them falling to 0-2.
Pick: Swarm
Ashley
Pick: Swarm
Tyson
It would be pretty tough to bet that the defending champs would go 0-2 to start the season. Swarm have the offensive edge, Mammoth have the goaltending edge, and defensively I think this one’s split. Still leaning to Georgia on this one.
Pick: Swarm
Shanny
Pick: Swarm
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #GAvsCOL
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.
