All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.
Week 18:
“Muffler” Mike..2-3
Shawn……………..2-3
Gary…………………3-2
Pat…………………..2-3
Caden………………2-3
Standings:
Gary…………………60-45 57.1%
Shawn……………..58-47 55%
Pat…………………..58-47 55%
Caden………………55-50 52.4%
“Muffler” Mike…52-53 49.5%
Week 19 picks:
“Muffler” Mike:
CGY @ SASK
Saskatchewan. Unfortunately for Calgary, they’re running into the wrong team this week, intense rivalry aside.
ALB @ VAN
Albany. Yes, I know…CDB. But this FireWolves team is also coming together and playing their best lacrosse right now, and have as legitimate a shot of making the playoffs as anyone else, even with an 8-10 record.
SD @ HFX
Halifax. The Georgia loss is stinging (pun intended) and the Thunderbirds can bounce back at home against a Seals team that, while healthy, has to cross four time zones.
OTT @ ROC
Rochester. The Black Bears likely need to win at least 2 of their last 3 to have a shot at the playoffs. With the way the Knighthawks are playing, looks like it will have to be their final two opponents.
PHI @ GA
Georgia. Last week’s OT win put the Swarm in a position to fight for a first round home playoff game. A listless Wings team comes their way at an opportune time.
BUF @ COL
Buffalo. Last week I said I couldn’t see the Bandits losing back-to-back, yet they did. Losing three straight would be near-unconscionable.
TOR @ LV
Toronto. The Rock appear to have direction and cohesion post-trade deadline. The Desert Dogs, not so much.
Shawn:
Calgary vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan
Calgary’s trade with Toronto has proven one thing: Nick Rose isn’t the answer. Saskatchewan may have locked up a home playoff date, but they are still shooting for first place.
Albany vs Vancouver
Pick – Vancouver
This Warriors team is completely different with Christian Del Bianco in net. Inexplicably, it has fired up Vancouver’s offence. Albany is showing signs of improvement, but I don’t think that’ll match up to the Warriors.
San Diego vs Halifax
Pick – San Diego
This is really a toss-up. Two teams that struggled early that are now starting to play their best lacrosse. I’m going with San Diego as they are starting to get healthy and have key players like Trevor Baptiste back.
Ottawa vs Rochester
Pick – Rochester
I’m still scratching my head with Ottawa. They need to find secondary scoring to complement Jeff Teat, and the talent is there to do it. Rochester is quietly sneaking up the standings, and I wouldn’t sleep on them.
Philadelphia vs Georgia
Pick – Georgia
Things just aren’t good in Philly these days. This team looks lost, and it’s very clear Brennan O’Neill still has a lot to learn about the box game. Georgia has been inconsistent, but they aren’t scrambling like the Wings.
Buffalo vs Colorado
Pick – Buffalo
Colorado took a shellacking from Saskatchewan last weekend, and it doesn’t get any easier. Buffalo has been struggling but they will exploit the fact that Colorado is missing key pieces.
Toronto vs Las Vegas
Pick – Toronto
Toronto is already starting to turn things around, and all it took was getting younger. Like Philly, the outlook for Vegas looks bleak. The Desert Dogs might keep it closer, but the Rock will come away with the win.
Gary:
Calgary vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan wins.
This Saskatchewan team is gearing up for a strong playoff run. The speed of the Rush will create a lot of problems for Calgary in this game.
Albany vs. Vancouver
Vancouver wins.
This team has looked great since the Del Bianco signing. Not just in back, but also their forwards have stepped up their game.
San Diego vs. Halifax
Halifax wins.
If this turns into a track meet, San Diego will not fair well. The younger legs of Halifax mixed with the propensity of the Seals to take penalties will result in a lot of special teams play.
Ottawa vs. Rochester
Rochester wins.
This team has found their spark it needed to scare a lot of teams. Multi waves of scoring mixed with good defense will out dual the Black Bears in this game.
Philadelphia vs. Georgia
Georgia wins.
I don’t know if Philadelphia can get out of this funk until the season ends. If the Swarm can capitalize on Wings errors, this will turn ugly early.
Buffalo vs. Colorado
Buffalo wins.
No way they lose three in a row! Too many weapons, too much pride. Colorado is hurting offensively, and Buffalo will win handily.
Toronto vs. Las Vegas
Toronto wins.
While their records are close, the teams aren’t. Look for another offensive explosion from the Rock in this game.
Pat:
Calgary vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Albany vs. Vancouver
Vancouver
San Diego vs. Halifax
Halifax
Ottawa vs. Rochester
Rochester
Philadelphia vs. Georgia
Georgia
Buffalo vs. Colorado
Buffalo
Toronto vs. Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Caden:
Calgary vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan
I’m gonna keep this short and sweet, Saskatchewan. Calgary has been struggling after getting Nick Rose and the Rush are the Rush.
Albany vs Vancouver
Pick – Vancouver
Oh boy what a battle this will be, I want to go with the new life FireWolves but with CDB, the Warriors have been unstoppable, I expect this game to be a barn burner.
San Diego vs Halifax
Pick – Halifax
Oh how the ones who struggle find themselves so much better. These 2 clubs had it rough to start and are finally showing up. This will be a toss up but I’ll take Halifax, give me Warren Hill winning the goalie battle.
Ottawa vs Rochester
Pick – Rochester
Without the Black Bears being able to fully support Jeff Teat, I can not fully back them. I’ll go with Rochester who has been rising up the standings and could be a sneaky dark horse come May.
Philadelphia vs Georgia
Pick – Georgia
Oh Philly what can we say? We thought you were RIGHT THERE, and then you pulled off the mask to show the real Wings team. The talent is there but they don’t know how to put it together. I’ll take the Swarm here.
Buffalo vs Colorado
Pick – Buffalo
Back to back losses for Buffalo?? Are you guys ok? We don’t have to talk about it, so instead let’s just watch you beat the fur out of the Mammoth.
Toronto vs Las Vegas
Pick – Toronto
I’m going with the Rock. Vegas is bottom of the barrel right now and Toronto is seeing a bit of life after the deadline.
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