Week 16 saw every NLL team in action, and of course, there were surprises as the playoff race tightened. Saskatchewan was the first team to clinch a spot after a narrow win. Oshawa and Calgary both saw their second consecutive wins as they strive to put themselves back in the playoff mix, while farther up the standings, Las Vegas handed Rochester a decisive loss. Buffalo is back to form and they showed it by beating Colorado. Vancouver recovered from a loss to Toronto by defeating Georgia, the team closest to them in the standings. And Toronto got the better of Halifax in overtime.
With five weeks left to go in the regular season, there are plenty of teams left competing for the final playoff spots. Calgary and Oshawa are both on two-game winning streaks and have the most to gain. Their offences are young, although veteran Ryan Benesch had an immediate six-point impact for the FireWolves in his debut. Rochester, Halifax and San Diego are pressing their opponents at both ends of the floor to make up some ground. It’s anyone’s game and the final weeks will bring elation to one or two, but heartbreak to the rest.
Henderson, USA – March 15, 2026: Rochester Knighthawks vs Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, USA. (Photo by Candice Ward/National Lacrosse League)
Week 16 Result: Beat Rochester 17-10
Week 17 Opponent: at Rochester (5-7)
Previous Ranking: N/A
The bottom of the order is where we start to get into the realm of “it’s anyone’s game.” Last week Halifax was number eight. Rochester has been in this position. This week, it’s Las Vegas after a convincing win over the Knighthawks snapped a four-game losing streak. The ‘Dogs haven’t had the season they wanted or were expected to after losing Chase Fraser to injury, but Mitch Jones, Chris Cloutier and Jonathan Donville stepped up this week with three goals each. Kyle Killen had his best game of the season with four goals and recently acquired Kevin Crowley potted his first goal for the Desert Dogs, along with two assists. Tyson Bell and Zach Young added a steadiness to the back end. And although he ended the game with an average GAA, Alexis Buque was incredible in his first start of the season, holding Rochester to three goals in the first half while making one highlight reel save after another. He played the complete game with 44 stops. Las Vegas has six games left, plenty of time to prove they’re serious competitors.
Buffalo Bandits against the Colorado Mammoth on March 13, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
Week 16 Result: Lost to Buffalo 13-10
Week 17 Opponent: vs Calgary (4-9)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
The Mammoth have veered off course in recent games with three losses in their last four outings. The trio of Hannah, Kew and Malcom haven’t been as dominant as they were earlier in the season, and Dillon Ward has been pulled in three of their last four games. Buffalo beat them in every statistical category except blocked shots. Was their seven-game win streak enough to keep the Mammoth comfortably in a playoff spot? They have four games left to right the ship, two at home against Calgary and Las Vegas, and two away at Saskatchewan and Calgary.
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 14, 2026: The Calgary Roughnecks against the Ottawa Black Bears at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. (Photo by Jenn Pierce/NLL)
Week 16 Result: Lost to Calgary 13-9
Week 17 Opponent: at Vancouver (10-4)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Last week’s number two team tumbles down to six after a loss in Calgary. This was a must-win game for Ottawa against a team much lower in the standings, but there was no spark in their play. They managed only two goals in the first half, and their trademark fourth-quarter comeback was nowhere to be found. The Black Bears have shown flashes this season, but winning the fourth quarter isn’t a given—especially when Jeff Teat is contained, as the Roughnecks managed to do. Despite putting 14 shots on goal, he found the back of the net just twice. Ottawa is still in a decent position, but they’ll need to take control of their final four games to control their own fate.
Week 16 Result: Lost to Vancouver 14-7
Week 17 Opponent: vs Halifax (5-8)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Of Georgia’s five losses, three have come against Saskatchewan, Colorado, and Vancouver—the teams ahead of them in the standings. They also dropped their season opener to the Bandits. So while the Swarm have looked strong at times, they haven’t yet proven they can beat the league’s top tier—a concerning sign as the playoffs approach.
Against Vancouver, they were outplayed from start to finish, trailing 9–3 at halftime. Brett Dobson had his toughest outing of the season, pulled twice after surrendering 12 goals, and received little support in front of him. The bright spot? Backup Devlin Shanahan logged 27 minutes and allowed just two goals. Even in the loss, the Swarm continued to compete, winning battles for loose balls, caused turnovers, and generating shots on goal.
Buffalo Bandits against the Colorado Mammoth on March 13, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
Week 16 Result: Beat Colorado 13-10
Week 17 Opponent: at San Diego (6-7)
Previous Ranking: 7th
The defending champs look to be well and truly back on track after wins over Saskatchewan, Toronto and Colorado, which have allowed them to inch their way back up the Power Rankings and the Standings, where they sit in seventh place with a .538 winning percentage. Josh and Dhane scored four goals and five assists each in Week 16 and Matt Vinc was back to form, stopping 45 shots. Joe Resetarits had a pair of assists in his Bandits’ debut and Tehoka Nanticoke added three goals. Coltrane Tyson made his NLL debut and scored one point via assist and scooped up one loose ball. The Bandits have made just enough small tweaks to bring out the best in every player on the floor.
Toronto Rock at Vancouver Warriors – 03.06.26 (Jaclyn McKee)
Week 16 Result: Beat Halifax 14-13/OT
Week 17 Opponent: vs Saskatchewan (11-3)
Previous Ranking: 5th
The Rock were tied with the Thunderbirds 10 times on Friday night before Josh Dawick scored his most important goal of the season in overtime. Though Halifax had home floor, it almost felt inevitable that it would be the Ontarians walking out with the win. Throughout the game, the Rock put forth a completely balanced offensive effort, with five players contributing four points each, and 13 overall registering at least a point. Dawick and Owen Hiltz each had hat tricks. Latrell Harris blasted past the 100-career point plateau. Josh Jackson had a goal, one blocked shot and three loose balls in his Toronto debut. Things are looking good for the Rock, but two of their remaining five games are against the first-place Rush; they will have to prepare well.
Week 16 Result: Beat Georgia 14-7
Week 17 Opponent: vs Ottawa (8-6)
Previous Ranking: 6th
The Warriors storm back up the Power Rankings this week after their dominant win over Georgia, which puts them in sole possession of second place in the Standings. Doubling up the Swarm was a power move for a team looking to rebound after a home-floor loss to a Canadian rival. The offence scored in bunches, Keegan Bal leading with nine points (4G/5A) and Curtis Dickson seven (3G/4A). Even without Shane Simpson in the lineup, the Warriors’ transition contributed, with Ryan Dilks and Reece Callies finding the net. Reid Bowering was a hoover, scooping up 13 loose balls, the most he’s had in a game in nearly two years, and Max Adler easily won the faceoff contest.
The Saskatchewan Rush host the San Diego Seals at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, March 14, 2026
Week 16 Result: Beat San Diego 10-9
Week 17 Opponent: at Toronto (8-5)
Previous Ranking: 1st
The Rush snapped a small two-game skid in a resilient comeback against San Diego, and in doing so, became the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Down 3-0 early, they tied it by the end of the first, though the Seals led by a pair at halftime. It was a four-goal run in the third that was the difference for the one-goal victory. Of their four remaining games, the Rush visit Toronto next week and then finish with a three-game home stand against Buffalo, Colorado and Toronto. They’ve secured their playoff spot, but they’d like to secure home floor throughout, so those games are still incredibly important.
