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GAME PICKS: Week 18

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.

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