Week 16 in the National Lacrosse League could be a sweet one for the Rock, Roughnecks, Rush, and Black Wolves who all have the potential to clinch playoff berth. Alternatively, it is a literal must win for the Wings and Knighthawks as postseason elimination looms large.
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 |
45 |
20 |
| Andy |
38 |
27 |
| Shanny |
36 |
29 |
| Renee |
36 |
29 |
Just when I thought I was making ground on Devan in the standings she goes on a run last weekend, and now there’s Renee and Shanny hot on my heels. The only thing that’s more intense than our NLL staff standings race is the action on the floor!
Let’s get to the predictions below!
Philadelphia Wings (3-10) at Toronto Rock (8-5) – Saturday, 7pm ET
Andy
It was nice to see the Wings hard work rewarded with a victory last week as they cling to the faint hope of making the playoffs. Toronto lost their back-to-back against the two top teams in the East. Rock grab a postseason spot with a win, and I feel some home cooking will do them good.
Pick: ROCK
Shanny
Pick: ROCK
Renee
Pick: ROCK
Devan
There were SEVERAL scenarios in which the Rock clinched a playoff berth last week and NONE of them happened. All Toronto needs to do is beat the Wings this week and they are in. After going 0-2 in their double-header weekend, I can’t see this team losing to a team who is 3-10. That being said, you never know with the Wings – it could be a close one – but I’m taking the Rock to win it.
Pick: ROCK
Tweet @NLL using #PHIvsTOR
San Diego Seals (8-4) at Calgary Roughnecks (7-7) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
Why do I still pick against the Seals? I should know better by now, but that 3-3 road record gives me the feeling that Calgary can rise to the occasion to secure a playoff berth and keep the West Division race interesting.
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Shanny
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Renee
Pick: SEALS
Devan
This is a tough one. I want to say the Roughnecks will take it because they are playing for more (the Seals already solidified their spot in the postseason), but something tells me Calgary might not win this game. Like I said last week, I don’t know what it is, but I literally never know what to expect from this Roughnecks team, while I DO usually know what to expect from the Seals, and that is a dominant performance. Taking Seals for this matchup.
Pick: SEALS
Tweet @NLL using #SDvsCGY
Vancouver Warriors (4-10) at Saskatchewan Rush (6-6) – Saturday, 9:30pm ET
Andy
It’s been an uncharacteristic roller coaster season for the Rush, but one thing remains the same…they are always tough to beat in their own building. Vancouver’s given me no confidence that they can pull off an upset after getting swept by Colorado in that pivotal pair of head-to-head division games.
Rush win comfortably as they start to round into postseason form.
Pick: RUSH
Shanny
Pick: RUSH
Renee
Pick: RUSH
Devan
I picked Saskatchewan to win this game for several reasons.
1) The Rush have simply been playing a consistently better game than Vancouver.
2) They want to nab a postseason berth.
3) It’s a home game.
Pick: RUSH
Tweet @NLL using #VANvsSAS
Rochester Knighthawks (2-11) at New England Black Wolves (7-6) – Sunday, 1pm ET
Andy
New England is a wildcard on the road, but near automatic at home with a dominant 6-1 record. Rochester’s got nothing to play for, while the Black Wolves are looking to lock down a spot in the hunt for the NLL Cup. Plus the pack get their big dog Callum Crawford back in the lineup. Only one way to go here…
Pick: BLACK WOLVES
Shanny
Pick: BLACK WOLVES
Renee
Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS
Devan
The Black Wolves might have lost to the Philadelphia Wings last week, but they were also playing without Callum Crawford. Not taking anything away from the Wings victory – I think they played a solid game – but Crawford is New England’s top goal scorer and his presence on the floor makes a bigger impact that some might think.
Pick: BLACK WOLVES
Tweet @NLL using #ROCvsNE
Andy McNamara has been a play-by-play commentator for the NLL on TSN, B/R Live, 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.
