All Lacrosse All The Time Weekly NLL Pick ‘Ems – Week 20

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Gary Groob

Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media. An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to "grow the game", Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history. Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse, Ontario Series Lacrosse, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, CUFLA, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them. In the year 2019, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page "Global Lacrosse" with a membership of 14,000+ members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022 with a membership of 19,000+. Gary also has been the media person for Ontario Series Lacrosse (Senior B) since 2023. Mr. Groob also covers the Green Gaels for their excursions to Prague at the Ales Hrebesky tournament since 2022. In 2024, when Major Series Lacrosse was in need of a media person, Gary stepped in as their interim media person. His tasks were running their social media, as well as their website until a full time person was found to fill the role. In 2025 Gary was voted onto the Board of Directors for Ontario Series Lacrosse. Mr. Groob hosts a weekly lacrosse interview show formerly on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, now on StreamPunkEnt.com, Youtube, as well as Spotify. Groob also hosts a lacrosse talk show and podcast for All Lacrosse All The Time seen live Sunday nights at 8pm (ET), and archived on the All Lacrosse All The Time YouTube page, as well as Spotify. Gary also wrote a weekly lacrosse editorial column for La Portada Canada News both in print and online for three years from 2021-2024. In 2025, Mr. Groob joined the ownership ranks, becoming a minority owner of StreamPunk Entertainment, ensuring Lacrosse will always have voice in media. Gary was voted onto the board of directors as the social media director for Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) in November of 2025. In 2026 Mr. Groob was nominated for the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, made a voting member of the NLL media, was put as a voting member in the Ales Hrebesky Tournament awards, and was nominated for the Tom Borelli Award as media person of the year for the NLL. Mr. Groob's other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.

All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.



Week 19:

“Muffler” Mike…3-2
Shawn……………..3-2
Gary…………………3-2
Pat…………………..3-2
Caden………………4-1

Standings:

Shawn……………..71-39  
Pat…………………..66-44  
Caden………………65-45  
“Muffler” Mike…61-49  
Gary…………………61-49

Week 20 picks:

“Muffler” Mike:

Toronto vs. Ottawa

Toronto. As Gary stated on last Sunday’s show, the Rock are a perfect 4-0 in games where Nick Rose has started in net since his return from IR. I don’t expect that to change this week. The Black Bears unfortunately head towards a “win or go home” game against Halifax in Week 21.

Halifax vs. Vancouver

Vancouver. The Warriors have yet to lose back-to-back games this season, and after last week’s letdown, head coach Curt Malawsky will have the Warriors doing all the little things right once again as they aim to host a first round playoff game.

Calgary vs. Oshawa

Oshawa. This will be another “down to the wire” game. I think the production from Oshawa’s offense and transition is a little more consistent/dependable than Calgary’s right now.

Las Vegas vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia. It’s a trap!…game, that is, for Las Vegas. While the Desert Dogs are trying to hold on to the final playoff spot, the Wings have nothing to lose, except maybe the #1 pick in the Entry Draft. They send the fans home happy in what is likely their final home game in Philadelphia.

Rochester vs. Buffalo

Buffalo. The timing couldn’t be any better for the Bandits, as they extend their win streak to seven, get revenge for an early season loss, and essentially eliminate the Knighthawks from playoff contention, all in one night.

Colorado vs. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan. It’s wild that a month ago, this game had meaning, then two weeks ago it looked to be unimportant, and now it may well determine who gets home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I’m going with the home team coming off a bye week.

San Diego vs. Georgia

Georgia. The Swarm have allowed the fewest goals in the league, by a rather wide margin. The Seals have scored the second-fewest goals in the league. San Diego finds themselves on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Shawn:

Toronto vs. Ottawa

Pick – Toronto

Nick Rose has been playing lights out for the Rock. Having that steady goaltending gives Toronto a slight edge. Ottawa needs this game but I’m not sure they have the horses to do it.

Halifax vs. Vancouver

Pick – Vancouver

Halifax is battling for that last playoff spot but Vancouver has bigger aspirations. They want to get first place and home field advantage through the playoffs so they will be going all out again the Thunderbirds.

Calgary vs. Oshawa

Pick – Calgary

Despite losing a one-goal game to Oshawa last week, I’m still not ready to give up on Calgary just yet. This game my be meaningless in the playoff race, but Calgary still has a lot of prove.

Las Vegas vs. Philadelphia

Pick – Las Vegas

Potentially the Wings last game in Philadelphia. They’ll put on a show and I could see them leading this game early. However, Las Vegas has too much on the line and will come away with a one or two goal victory.

Rochester vs. Buffalo

Pick – Buffalo

The Bandits are rolling again and look like the championship-calibre team we expected. We are seeing the expect opposite out of the Knighthawks. We thought they’d be a championship contender and he looked like anything but that.

Colorado vs. Saskatchewan

Pick – Saskatchewan

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Rush. They needed the break after a bad stretch. Too much is on the line and I think you will see a Rush team that is motivated to get back to the finals.

San Diego vs. Georgia

Pick – Georgia

I think this will come down to goaltending and Brett Dobson is having one of the best years we’ve seen in a long time. This will be a low scoring affair and I expect Chris Origlieri will keep the Seals in the game, but I have to give a slight edge to Dobson and the Swarm.

Gary:

Toronto vs. Ottawa

Toronto wins.

The Rock have ramped up all season, and for them to be taken seriously, they must get by the Black Bears.  Ottawa have been inconsistent all season.  However, if the Rock don’t pay attention to Teat, we will be talking about the upset.

Halifax vs. Vancouver

Vancouver wins.

Embarrassed and pissed off.  That is the Vancouver Warriors this week.  They are too talented to lose at home to an inconsistent Thunderbirds team.

Calgary vs. Oshawa

Oshawa wins. 

The FireWolves are playing for jobs and pride.  Their fanbase will be loud.  Look for Benesch to continue his resurgence.

Las Vegas vs. Philadelphia

Las Vegas wins.

Vegas is still fighting for a playoff spot!  They have shown they can compete with the big boys. 

Rochester vs. Buffalo

Buffalo wins.

Can anybody beat the Bandits right now?

Colorado vs. Saskatchewan

Colorado wins.

The game of the week!  The small edge I give to the Mammoth is goaltending.  This might even go to OT.

San Diego vs. Georgia

Georgia wins.

This will be low scoring!  Look for a late surge that brings the Swarm to the pay window!

Warriors

Pat:

Toronto vs. Ottawa

Toronto Rock

Halifax vs. Vancouver

Vancouver Warriors

Calgary vs. Oshawa

Oshawa FireWolves

Las Vegas vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia Wings

Rochester vs. Buffalo

Buffalo Bandits

Colorado vs. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Rush

San Diego vs. Georgia

Georgia Swarm

Caden:

Toronto vs. Ottawa

Toronto over Ottawa

Toronto’s just the steadier team top-to-bottom, and Ottawa tends to hang around .500 and leak goals. If this gets tight late, I trust Toronto’s offense way more to close it.

Halifax vs. Vancouver

Vancouver over Halifax

Vancouver’s been one of the best teams in the league record-wise, and Halifax has been kinda up-and-down all year. Feels like a spot where Vancouver’s defense controls the pace.

Calgary vs. Oshawa

Calgary over Oshawa

Oshawa’s had a rough season and gives up a ton, so even an average Calgary effort should be enough. This is more of a fade-Oshawa play than anything flashy.

Las Vegas vs. Philadelphia

Las Vegas over Philadelphia

Philly’s been near the bottom all year, and Vegas at least shows some offensive life. If this turns into a shootout, that actually helps Vegas.

Rochester vs. Buffalo

Buffalo over Rochester

Buffalo’s just a better version of Rochester—similar style but cleaner and more efficient. Plus, Rochester’s defense has been shaky, which is dangerous in this matchup.

Colorado vs. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan over Colorado

This one’s tight, but Saskatchewan’s been elite defensively and that usually travels. I’ll take the team that can grind it out if it gets ugly.

San Diego vs. Georgia

Georgia over San Diego

Georgia’s been one of the more complete teams, while San Diego struggles to score consistently. Unless San Diego randomly pops off, Georgia should control this.

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