It is Week 18 in the National Lacrosse League and there is still plenty to play for. The Bandits, Rush, and Seals all have a shot to clinch home playoff dates, while Colorado looks to punch their ticket and Vancouver tries to stave off elimination.
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.
2018-19 Game Picks Standings:
| NAME |
WINS |
LOSSES |
| Devan |
49 |
26 |
| Andy |
42 |
33 |
| Shanny |
42 |
33 |
| Renee |
40 |
35 |
New England Black Wolves (8-7) at Toronto Rock (10-6) – Friday, 7:30pm
Andy
Interesting matchup as the Rock still chase the one or two seed for a home playoff date, while New England can inch closer to the three seed. Like the Black Wolves, Toronto is a different animal at home – give me the Rock by three.
Pick: ROCK
Shanny
Pick: ROCK
Renee
Pick: BLACK WOLVES
Devan
This was a tough one to pick, but I just can’t see the Rock losing another after their loss to Rochester.
Pick: ROCK
Tweet @NLL using #NEvsTOR
Rochester Knighthawks (4-11) at Colorado Mammoth (6-9) – Friday, 9pm ET
Andy
Well the Mammoth secure a playoff berth with a win here or a Vancouver loss. Rochester loves the spoiler role, but that’s a long trip with nothing on the line. Colorado punches their ticket.
Pick: MAMMOTH
Shanny
Pick: MAMMOTH
Renee
Pick: MAMMOTH
Devan
I can see Ryan Benesch coming out strong against his former team! Plus, I liked what I saw in the Knighthawks win over the Rock last week.
Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS
Tweet @NLL using #ROCvsCOL
Georgia Swarm (12-4) at Calgary Roughnecks (8-8) – Friday, 9:30pm ET
Andy
Wow is this battle fascinating. Calgary needs this more than Georgia, however, the Swarm are starting to get into postseason form. Swarm in a close one.
Pick: SWARM
Shanny
Pick: SWARM
Renee
Pick: SWARM
Devan
The Georgia Swarm are looking dominant again. I gotta take them in this matchup.
Pick: SWARM
Tweet @NLL using #GAvsCGY
Saskatchewan Rush (8-6) at San Diego Seals (9-6) – Friday, 10:30pm ET
Andy
This is the main event of the weekend in my book. The defending champs a half game back of the new kids on the block. Both teams are dominant in their own building and below .500 on the road…that formula means the Seals come out on top.
Pick: SEALS
Shanny
Pick: RUSH
Renee
Pick: SEALS
Devan
This is the first of two games for the Rush, and I think they will be playing to nab that home game in round one of the playoffs.
Pick: RUSH
Tweet @NLL using #SASvsSD
Philadelphia Wings (3-12) at Saskatchewan Rush (?-?) – Saturday, 9:30pm ET
Andy
As I wrote for the last game – the Rush are nearly unstoppable in their own barn with a 5-2 record. We know Philly will keep it close, but Saskatchewan has too much to play for to let this one slip away.
Pick: RUSH
Shanny
Pick: RUSH
Renee
Pick: RUSH
Devan
Similar to my pick for Rush vs. Seals – the Rush are simply playing for more than the Wings are.
Pick: RUSH
Tweet @NLL using #PHIvsSAS
Philadelphia Wings (?-?) at Vancouver Warriors (4-11) – Sunday, 6pm ET
Andy
The Wings are winless away from Philadelphia (assuming my prediction on the Rush beating them Saturday is correct). Vancouver’s only won twice before their BC audience…if Philly was ever going to pull out a road victory then Sunday would be the time.
Pick: WINGS
Shanny
Pick: WARRIORS
Renee
Pick: WINGS
Devan
They’ve gotta win one of their games this weekend, right?!
Pick: WINGS
Tweet @NLL using #PHIvsVAN
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.
