We are through the National Lacrosse League trade deadline and that means the playoffs are nearly upon us. It also means that each of these six Week 14 matchups have added importance when it comes to seeding and tiebreakers.
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.
2018 Game Picks Standings:
| NAME |
WINS |
LOSSES |
| Devan |
35 |
17 |
| Andy |
30 |
22 |
| Shanny |
29 |
23 |
| Renee |
27 |
25 |
All the NLL action begins Friday night on B/R Live!
Georgia Swarm (9-4) at Rochester Knighthawks (2-8) – Friday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
The Knighthawks had some notable arrivals and departures leading up to and on the NLL trade deadline as they were literally involved in every deal during the month of March! The addition of Ryan Benesch is a wildcard as he may be the catalyst to spark Rochester to an upset.
The K-Hawks only two wins this season have been at home and the Swarm are a pedestrian 4-3 on the road. That being said, one of those Georgia victories came last week as they took down the Bandits in Buffalo. If things fall right for them the Swarm can grab a share of first place with a “W”. I feel they keep the momentum going and get it done.
Pick: SWARM
Shanny
Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS
Renee
Pick: SWARM
Devan
Pick: SWARM
Tweet @NLL using #GAvsROC
Rochester Knighthawks (? – ?) at Toronto Rock (7-3) – Saturday, 7pm ET
Andy
Rochester is playing for pride regardless of how their Friday matchup versus Georgia went, while the Rock try to get back in the win column and stay in the hunt for first in the East. Toronto’s 15-9 loss to Calgary in Week 13 was uncharacteristic of this team, and they will be coming out hot to rectify that.
The Rock do have two key players on injured reserve in forward Adam Jones and defender Sheldon Burns. Those absences cannot be taken likely, however, I still think they come out on top.
Pick: ROCK
Shanny
Pick: ROCK
Renee
Pick: ROCK
Devan
Pick: ROCK
Tweet @NLL using #ROCvsTOR
Colorado Mammoth (3-8) at Calgary Roughnecks (6-6) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
What a logjam the West standings are. Calgary sits in third, just one game out of first, and despite Colorado’s record, they are tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. This game is crucial for each club.
The Roughnecks kicked into another gear when they defeated Toronto, and it will be interesting to see if that’s the switch that needed to be flipped to put them in playoff mode. This is the season rubber match between the two rivals with both teams winning at home…does that give an edge to Calgary? I say ‘Yes’ as the Riggers send a message to the rest of the West.
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Shanny
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Renee
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Devan
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Tweet @NLL using #COLvsCGY
Buffalo Bandits (10-3) at Saskatchewan Rush (6-4) – Saturday, 9:30pm ET
Andy
You got to love two division leaders going toe-to-toe on a Saturday night! It wasn’t that long ago when this was an NLL Finals showdown as well. No question this is a pick’em in their one and only regular season meeting with home and away records being a wash.
The Rush are rested coming off of a bye and getting extra time to enjoy their three-game win streak. Buffalo’s been red hot, having been victorious in six straight before splitting last weekend. The Bandits catch Saskatchewan flat-footed out of the gate and hold off a late surge.
Pick: BANDITS
Shanny
Pick: RUSH
Renee
Pick: BANDITS
Devan
Pick: BANDITS
Tweet @NLL using #BUFvsSAS
Philadelphia Wings (2-9) at San Diego Seals (6-4) – Saturday, 10pm ET
Andy
Don’t be fooled by Philadelphia’s record – this is a team that is 2-4 in its last six and three of those losses came by two goals or less. They are not an easy out.
Neither are there opponents as expansion San Diego has only been defeated once at home, while the Wings are winless when traveling. The Seals have come out on the right side of the scoreboard in their last two outings and would take sole possession of first place with a “W” and Rush loss.
In my game predictions both occur.
Pick: SEALS
Shanny
Pick: SEALS
Renee
Pick: SEALS
Devan
Pick: SEALS
Tweet @NLL using #PHIvsSD
New England Black Wolves (7-4) at Vancouver Warriors (3-8) – Saturday, 10pm ET
Andy
New England’s history of inconsistent play keeps me skittish on picking them, but you can’t ignore their recent success. Winners in three of their last four, The Black Wolves could leap frog Toronto if the Rock come up shorthanded. Problem is that only one of the pack’s seven wins have come away from Mohegan Sun Arena.
Despite a frustrating season to date, the Warriors are very much in the West playoff hunt. Tied with Colorado for the fourth and final spot, every victory is crucial. Those long Vancouver road trips are tough on players no matter what sport you play so I’m calling for the upset.
Pick: WARRIORS
Shanny
Pick: WARRIORS
Renee
Pick: BLACK WOLVES
Devan
Pick: BLACK WOLVES
Tweet @NLL using #NEvsVAN
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.
