The NLL standings could not be any closer after 19 weeks of play. The top three teams all have 11-5 records. Fourth place is at 10-5, and fifth and sixth are at 10-6. Five teams remain in the mix for the final two playoff spots (Ottawa, Las Vegas, Halifax, Rochester and San Diego) after Buffalo, Toronto and Georgia all punched their tickets this weekend. At this stage of the season, everything can change in an instant.
Colorado kicked off the weekend by beating Las Vegas; action continued Saturday with Halifax getting the best of Rochester, Toronto defending home floor against San Diego and Buffalo beating up on Vancouver in a titanic match. Oshawa ended the weekend with a win over Calgary at the Saddledome; those two teams meet again next week in Ontario.
As you read through the Power Rankings this week, remember: they’re based on so much more than just wins and losses!
Halifax, Nova Scotia – Apr 04: National Lacrosse League game between the Halifax Thunderbirds and Rochester Knighthawks on April 4 2026 at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Thunderbirds)
With Saturday’s win over Rochester, the Thunderbirds have worked their way back to ninth place in the Standings with a 7-9 record and a chance to capture the final postseason berth. It will depend on how they fare in Vancouver in Week 20 and then back at home against Ottawa, a team also gunning for a playoff spot, in Week 21. Against Rochester, the Thunderbirds came out flying and led 11-5 at halftime. Clarke Petterson and Jason Knox had three goals each, while Petterson and Jake Withers (who picked up his 100th career point) led with six points each. Warren Hill held the Knighthawks to five goals per half, and Trevor Smyth was a steadying presence on the back end as he returned from injury, contributing a goal in transition. It feels like the Thunderbirds have finally found their footing.
Denver, Colorado – February 14, 2025: Ottawa Black Bears at Colorado Mammoth at the Ball Arena in Denver Colorado, United States. (Photo by John Matthew Harrison/National Lacrosse League)
Week 19 Result: Idle
Week 20 Opponent: vs Toronto (10-6)
Previous Ranking: 8th
On a three-game losing skid, Week 19 was the perfect time for Ottawa’s bye week. It was a chance to reset both their systems and themselves. The Black Bears are one of the five teams in the mix for the final two playoff spots. In Week 20, they host Toronto, a dangerous rival that has already secured a playoff berth and wants to guarantee home floor in the first round. There are several scenarios that would result in Ottawa clinching a playoff spot this weekend, but if they don’t, their Week 21 opponent in Halifax will either have nothing to lose or everything to gain. Both games are must-wins, but the Black Bears have to focus solely on Toronto right now.
Denver, Colorado – April 3, 2026: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Colorado Mammoth at the Ball Arena in Denver Colorado, United States. (Photo by John Matthew Harrison/National Lacrosse League)
Week 19 Result: Lost to Colorado 13-8
Week 20 Opponent: at Philadelphia (4-12)
Previous Ranking: 7th
After three consecutive wins against weaker teams, the Desert Dogs were stymied by the first-place Mammoth. Their star forwards were outdone by their opponents. Jonathan Donville, Kevin Crowley and Adam Poitras had two goals each, but both Mitch Jones and Chris Cloutier were held goalless, and the power play was only 2/7. At 7-8, they’re hanging on to eighth place in the Standings but face stiff competition in the final two weeks: in Week 20, they visit the Wings, who can play spoiler, and in Week 21, it’s a home-and-home series against San Diego, who are also in the playoff hunt.
Georgia Swarm at Ottawa Black Bears 03.28.26
Week 19 Result: Idle
Week 20 Opponent: vs San Diego (6-9)
Previous Ranking: 6th
Georgia didn’t take the floor this weekend, but they clinched a playoff spot anyway and now the fight for home-floor advantage begins. They have three games left to play in the last two weeks. In Week 20 they host the struggling Seals, a team that is desperately fighting for the playoffs. They close out the regular season with a home-and-home against Rochester, also still in the hunt, although things change quickly and that final series could see Rochester trying to play spoiler. Regardless, the Swarm have the advantage at every position, especially in goal, in all three games and should buzz their way into the playoffs.
HAMILTON, CANADA – MARCH 20: 2026 NLL regular season game action between the Saskatchewan Rush and Toronto Rock at TD Coliseum on March 20, 2026 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Christian Bender/NLL)
Week 19 Result: Idle
Week 20 Opponent: vs Colorado (11-5)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Once the kings of the League, the Rush have let their foot off the gas lately, allowing Colorado and Vancouver to catch up; each now sports an 11-5 record. By virtue of tiebreaker scenarios, Colorado sits first in the Standings, Vancouver second and Saskatchewan third. So, this weekend’s clash between Saskatchewan and Colorado means a lot for both teams. They’ve both secured playoff spots, but first place – and home floor throughout the playoffs – is still up for grabs. Like Ottawa and Georgia, Saskatchewan took advantage of a Week 19 bye to rest and reset as they look to stop a two-game skid in its tracks.
HAMILTON, CANADA – APRIL 4: 2025 NLL regular season game action between the San Diego Seals Roughnecks and Toronto Rock at TD Coliseum on April 4, 2026 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Christian Bender/NLL)
Week 19 Result: Beat San Diego 7-5
Week 20 Opponent: at Ottawa (8-8)
Previous Ranking: 4th
Following a surprising loss to Philadelphia, the Rock tightened up on defence. They led 3-0 after the first quarter and protected the lead like their lives depended on it, even with a lot of pressure from the Seals, who put 15 more shots on goal than the Rock. Nick Rose showed confidence with 38 saves. The pace of the game was slow at points with several goal reviews, but the Rock used the timing to their advantage: the in-arena atmosphere was electric, so the fans stayed hyped, allowing the players to keep their focus on the outcome of the game. They were able to dictate the pace while respecting a Seals team anxious to move up the standings.
Las Vegas Desert Dogs v Colorado Mammoth
04/03/2026
Isaiah J. Downing
Ball Arena
National Lacrosse League
Week 19 Result: Beat Las Vegas 13-8
Week 20 Opponent: at Saskatchewan (11-5)
Previous Ranking: 5th
Against Las Vegas on Friday, Colorado broke open a 5-5 tie and outscored the Desert Dogs 8-3 in the final 30 minutes. The win propelled the Mammoth into first place in the standings, where they now hope to bring at least one playoff game back to Ball Arena. Will Malcom scored a game-breaking five goals, with one assist and 12 shots on goal, and Dillon Ward was in fine form with 43 saves. The Mammoth have a huge test next week against Saskatchewan that will help decide first place. That is followed in Week 21 with a visit to Calgary, and if positioning is still up for grabs, expect the Mammoth to hold nothing back.
Buffalo Bandits against the Vancouver Warriors on April 4, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
Week 19 Result: Lost to Buffalo 15-5
Week 20 Opponent: vs Halifax (7-9)
Previous Ranking: 1st
However, the Warriors prepared for the Bandits during their bye week, but it wasn’t effective enough. Vancouver had a tough time on Saturday during a game that marked their lowest offensive output of the season. Buffalo’s stout defence held Curtis Dickson to two assists and six shots on goal, and Jesse King to only five shots on goal. They were also held scoreless on five power play opportunities. It’s back to the drawing board for the Warriors, who could meet the streaking Bandits again in the playoffs. Vancouver has an easier time ahead, with games against Halifax and Philadelphia to close out the regular season.
Buffalo Bandits against the Vancouver Warriors on April 4, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
Week 19 Result: Beat Vancouver 15-5
Week 20 Opponent: vs Rochester (6-9)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The Bandits leaned completely into their Marvel Superhero Night personas and proved that the “good guys” don’t always win – they were dressed as Thanos (the villain, if you haven’t seen/read The Avengers). Steve Priolo even highlighted the point, pretending to snap Matt Beers out of existence after the pair fought in the fourth quarter. It was a poetic uniform choice for the Bandits – as three-time defending champs, of course, everybody wants to take them down. But the way the Bandits are playing – now on a six-game winning streak – it will take a superhero effort to do it, and the number of teams capable of doing so is dwindling. Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith combined for 19 points, Joe Resetarits had his first hat trick as a Bandit and the team was ready to take on anyone, with three scrums/fights highlighting the fourth quarter. The Bandits have their swagger back and both the uniform and the score proved it.
