We’re getting right down to it as only two weeks remain in the National Lacrosse League regular season. A single playoff spot remains in the West between Colorado and Vancouver. There are also a plethora of seed positioning battles that will play themselves out.
It all makes for an exciting Week 19!
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 |
53 |
28 |
| Shanny |
46 |
35 |
| Andy |
44 |
37 |
| Renee |
41 |
40 |
Colorado Mammoth (6-10) at San Diego Seals (9-7) – Friday, 10:30pm ET
Andy
Colorado controls its own fate. A win in San Diego clinches a playoff spot and eliminates Vancouver. The Seals will be without star rookie Austin Staats until next season with a torn ACL. While they are still dangerous, I feel the Mammoth keep the scoring in single digits and grind this one out.
Pick: MAMMOTH
Shanny
Pick: SEALS
Renee
Pick: MAMMOTH
Devan
The Mammoth were prevented from nabbing that fourth and final playoff spot in the West last week when the Knighthawks defeated them in OT at home. I don’t think Colorado is going to let that happen again. Plus, I think San Diego is still adjusting to missing Austin Staats.
Pick: MAMMOTH
Tweet @NLL using #COLvsSD
Philadelphia Wings (3-14) at Georgia Swarm (12-5) – Saturday, 7:05pm ET
Andy
We’ve said it all year long – Philadelphia plays tough, but just keeps coming up short. That’s extra true on the road where the Wings are winless and missed their best opportunity to break that goose egg last Sunday in Vancouver.
Georgia has a ton to play for with a shot at winning the division on the line, plus they are 7-1 at home. Swarm take this going away.
Pick: SWARM
Shanny
Pick: SWARM
Renee
Pick: SWARM
Devan
I hate to say it, but this is the Wings last game of the season, they’re coming off of a heart-breaking double header weekend in western Canada, they aren’t playing for much anymore. The Swarm have proven to be a dominant team not just in the East but in the league. Got to take Georgia in this one.
Pick: SWARM
Tweet @NLL using #PHIvsGA
Vancouver Warriors (5-11) at Rochester Knighthawks (5-11) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
If Colorado is victorious as I predicted, then Vancouver will be eliminated from the playoffs and nothing to play for. Then we have the Knighthawks who inexplicably are rolling on a three game winning streak. Rochester got in sync too late for a playoff run, but they’ll keep clicking Saturday night.
Pick: KNIGHTHAWKS
Shanny
Pick: WARRIORS
Renee
Pick: WARRIORS
Devan
Whether they are playing for a playoff spot come Saturday or not, I think the Warriors are hungry to finish out the season on a high note.
Pick: WARRIORS
Tweet @NLL using #VANvsROC
New England Black Wolves (8-8) at Buffalo Bandits (12-4) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
If we take the sample size of this season as an indicator, then Buffalo’s 6-2 home record trumps New England’s 1-6 on the road. We know the Black Wolves have the horses to run with anyone, however, the Bandits are fresh off a bye and can lock down a guaranteed first round game at KeyBank Center.
Smart money goes to Buffalo here.
Pick: BANDITS
Shanny
Pick: BANDITS
Renee
Pick: BANDITS
Devan
Buffalo’s coming off of a bye week, and I just don’t see the Black Wolves outscoring the Bandits.
Pick: BANDITS
Tweet @NLL using #NEvsBUF
Saskatchewan Rush (10-6) at Calgary Roughnecks (9-8) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
What a great West Division tilt for a Saturday night in a rubber match for the season series!
We think of the Rush as playing much better at Sasktel Centre, and while that’s not incorrect they have really picked up their road game. Saskatchewan’s won three of their last four away and four straight overall.
The Roughnecks are also coming together at the right time, gaining victories in three of their past four. Calgary’s potential for prolific scoring has also shown up in the last couple of outings. I’m feeling a down to the last-minute finish hear and the Rush pulling it off.
Pick: RUSH
Shanny
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Renee
Pick: RUSH
Devan
I have a feeling the Roughnecks are going to keep rolling out those wins for the rest of the regular season – and maybe into the playoffs! They seem like they are finally clicking. Plus, Dane Dobbie.
Pick: ROUGHNECKS
Tweet @NLL using #SASvsCGY
Make sure to catch all the NLL action on B/R Live.
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.
