All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.
Week 20:
“Muffler” Mike…4-3
Shawn……………..4-3
Gary…………………4-3
Pat…………………..4-3
Caden……………..4-3
Standings:
Shawn……………..75-42
Pat…………………..70-47
Caden………………69-48
“Muffler” Mike..65-52
Gary…………………65-52
Week 21 picks:
“Muffler” Mike:
Las Vegas vs. San Diego
San Diego. Oddly, it’ll be at home (where they managed just three wins all season, including this one) that the Seals keep intact their streak of having never missed the playoffs since coming into the league.
Rochester vs. Georgia
Georgia. The Swarm are still playing for a home playoff game, something they haven’t had since 2019. Rochester is already eliminated and still wondering where it all went wrong.
Ottawa vs. Halifax
Halifax. I’d like to go with my heart, as Ottawa desperately needs a playoff appearance to help whip up a bigger fanbase for the future. But I have to go with my brain, as the Thunderbirds have never lost to this franchise, and the game being in the Maritimes makes it that much more insurmountable for the Black Bears.
Buffalo vs. Oshawa
Buffalo. The juggernaut keeps on moving…and the question now becomes whether anyone can stop the Bandits from an unprecedented fourth straight title.
Colorado vs. Calgary
Colorado. The Mammoth clinch home-floor advantage throughout the playoffs, although Calgary won’t make it easy. Congrats in advance to Tanner Cook on the goal scoring title and 50-goal season (still a rare feat even in today’s league).
Toronto vs. Saskatchewan
Toronto. Remember when the Rush were 10-1? It seems like a distant memory now. The Rock earn a first round home playoff game.
San Diego vs. Las Vegas
Las Vegas. The Desert Dogs end the season on a high note, but just miss the playoffs.
Philadelphia vs. Vancouver
Vancouver. The Warriors cruise to the #2 seed, but may face a historically difficult opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
Georgia vs. Rochester
Rochester. With everything else wrapped up, the Swarm do some load management as they prepare for a playoff run. Can Brett Dobson extend his MVP-level play into the postseason?
Shawn:
Las Vegas vs San Diego
Pick – San Diego
The Seals are starting to peak at the right time. If Chris Origlieri can get into a groove early, he’ll cause fits for the Vegas offence. For the Desert Dogs, I’m still not sold on their defence and goaltending.
Rochester vs Georgia
Pick – Georgia
I’m giving Georgia the advantage because of goaltending. Brett Dobson has been lights out, while Rylan Hartley has struggled all season.
Ottawa vs Halifax
Pick – Halifax
I’m going out on a bit of a limb. The Thunderbirds have turned a bit of a corner. They are playing more disciplined lacrosse and can win this game if they stay out of the box. Ottawa is back to the same struggles, relying solely on Jeff Teat.
Buffalo vs Oshawa
Pick – Buffalo
If Oshawa can’t get things figured out quickly, this game could get ugly early. Buffalo is rolling and looks like the three-time champs.
Colorado vs Calgary
Pick – Colorado
Once again, I don’t think this will be a walk in the park for Colorado despite Calgary’s record. The Roughnecks can keep this game competitive, but the Mammoth have first place on the line and will be motivated.
Toronto vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Toronto
As much as I would like to see the Rush get a home playoff game, I’ve got some real concerns. They have looked flat and haven’t played a full 60-minute game for the last two games. The Rock are young and can run with the Rush, and if the Rush even takes a minute off, they will pay for it.
San Diego vs Las Vegas
Pick – San Diego
I think the Seals will sweep the head-to-head. As mentioned above, San Diego is playing their best lacrosse and will want to go into the playoffs on a high note.
Philadelphia vs Vancouver
Pick – Vancouver
Too much is on the line for the Warriors for them to lose to a lower team. Players for the Wings are playing for jobs so you could see a lot of individual efforts but not a team effort.
Georgia vs Rochester
Pick – Rochester
I feel like the Knighthawks will come out with something to prove. The season hasn’t gone the way they expected and will want to go out on a high point. My money is this will be a low-scoring affair.
Gary:
Las Vegas vs San Diego
San Diego wins.
Recently the Seals have found their mojo once again. The defense has been there all season, but with an awake offense, they could cause problems in the playoffs as well (yes I think they make it as well).
Rochester vs Georgia
Georgia wins.
Georgia is playing for a home playoff game! Rochester, while they’ve shown potential, has just been too inconsistent all season.
Ottawa vs Halifax
Halifax wins.
Win, and the T-Birds are in! Ottawa has shown they can be vulnerable.
Buffalo vs Oshawa
Buffalo wins.
Can anybody beat the Bandits?
Colorado vs Calgary
Colorado wins.
I really like the Roughnecks team, however, they aren’t ready for this rung of the ladder just yet.
Toronto vs Saskatchewan
Toronto wins.
Toronto has beat the Rush once already, playing “Rush” ball, there is no reason they can’t do it again. I give the edge in goal slightly to a healthy Nick Rose as well.
San Diego vs Las Vegas
San Diego wins.
The Seals are making the playoffs.
Philadelphia vs Vancouver
Vancouver wins.
Vancouver is determined to head to the post season with momentum. Look for a very focused Warriors team.
Georgia vs Rochester
Rochester wins.
Rochester puts everything together for one game to end the season. The offense shows us what we already knew…there is a ton of talent, if they can all keep on the same page!
Pat:
Las Vegas vs San Diego
San Diego Seals
Rochester vs Georgia
Georgia Swarm
Ottawa vs Halifax
Ottawa Black Bears
Buffalo vs Oshawa
Buffalo Bandits
Colorado vs Calgary
Colorado Mammoth
Toronto vs Saskatchewan
Toronto Rock
San Diego vs Las Vegas
Las Vegas Desert Dogs
Philadelphia vs Vancouver
Philadelphia Wings
Georgia vs Rochester
Georgia Swarm
Caden:
Las Vegas vs San Diego — Pick: San Diego
San Diego usually plays with more structure on both ends, and their transition game can flip momentum fast. Vegas has flashes, but they tend to get loose defensively, which is dangerous against a team that capitalizes like San Diego.
Rochester vs Georgia — Pick: Georgia
Georgia’s offense can get rolling in waves, and when they do, it’s tough to keep up. Rochester is gritty, but they don’t always have the firepower to match a full four-quarter push.
Ottawa vs Halifax — Pick: Halifax
Halifax at their best just feels a tier above—more polish, better shot selection, and stronger goaltending. Ottawa competes, but Halifax usually controls the tempo in this kind of matchup.
Buffalo vs Oshawa — Pick: Buffalo
Buffalo is one of those teams that can overwhelm you quickly if you let them settle in. Oshawa (assuming a younger or less proven squad) will have a hard time keeping pace if Buffalo gets into rhythm early.
Colorado vs Calgary — Pick: Colorado
This one’s tight, but Colorado’s balance gives them the edge. Calgary can grind, but Colorado tends to generate cleaner looks and doesn’t rely as heavily on scrappy scoring.
Toronto vs Saskatchewan — Pick: Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan just brings constant pressure, and they rarely beat themselves. Toronto has talent, but consistency has been an issue, especially against disciplined teams like this.
San Diego vs Las Vegas — Pick: San Diego (again)
Short turnaround or not, the matchup still favors San Diego. Unless Vegas suddenly tightens up defensively, it’s hard to see them flipping the script.
Philadelphia vs Vancouver — Pick: Vancouver
Vancouver has looked like a contender with how efficiently they score and defend. Philly can hang around, but Vancouver usually finds that extra gear late.
Georgia vs Rochester — Pick: Georgia (again)
Same story here—Georgia’s ceiling is just higher. If they get average goaltending, their offense should carry them past Rochester without needing a perfect game.
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