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…5-1
Shawn……………..4-2
Gary…………………3-3
Pat…………………..4-2
Caden………………6-0
Standings:
Gary…………………67-51 56.7%
Pat…………………..67-51 56.7%
Shawn……………..65-53 55.1%
Caden………………65-53 55.1%
“Muffler” Mike…60-58 50.8%
Week 21 picks:
“Muffler” Mike:
HFX @ TOR
Toronto. I suspect losing the chance at the #1 seed last week is going to give the Thunderbirds a bit of a hangover. Plus, Halifax limping into the playoffs is nothing we haven’t seen in past years.
CGY @ LV
Calgary. The Roughnecks start their doubleheader weekend against a Desert Dogs team that is trending upward, but not upward enough to stop a playoff run.
ALB @ SD
Albany. The FireWolves win six of their final seven to make the postseason. Meanwhile, the Seals miss the playoffs for the first time in history, leaving fans wondering what might have been if not for injuries and the suspension to Austin Staats.
TOR @ ROC
Rochester. The Rock’s reward for winning the front end of their doubleheader? A matchup against the team with the longest win streak at present. Rochester wants a first-round home playoff, and they get it in dominant fashion.
BUF @ GA
Buffalo. The #1 seed is locked up, so the Bandits may rest some players. However, their depth will step up against a Georgia team that, like San Diego, will spend the offseason wondering what went wrong.
PHI @ VAN
Vancouver. I’m not going out on a limb with this game pick, but I am going out on this limb: Vancouver will not lose again this season as long as Christian Del Bianco is between the pipes.
COL @ CGY
Calgary. I know the Roughnecks have a quick turnaround after the Vegas game, but the Mammoth have dropped five straight games as their depth scoring has seemingly gone AWOL. I can’t see Colorado finding a way to come out on top.
OTT @ SASK
Ottawa. The Black Bears are heating up at the right time, and the Rush will likely rest players, being locked in to the #2 overall seed. Jeff Teat makes a run at a 60-goal season.
Shawn:
Halifax vs Toronto
Pick – Halifax
The Thunderbirds want to lock you into that hole playoff spot, so they are going to give the Rock everything they can handle, while the Rock are playing for pride at this point.
Calgary vs Las Vegas
Pick – Calgary
I wouldn’t sleep on Vegas in this one. They have looked better, although it is too little, too late. Similar to the Toronto/Halifax game, Calgary needs it more.
San Diego vs Albany
Pick – Albany
I’m going out on a limb. Albany is starting to peak at the right time, and they all know what’s at stake. And with Chris Origlieri‘s status unknown at the time I’m writing this, it could spell disaster.
Toronto vs Rochester
Pick – Rochester
Rochester is one of those teams no one wants to face in the post-season and for good reason. Everything is coming together for them right now.
Buffalo vs Georgia
Pick – Buffalo.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Buffalo rests some guys. But still, I don’t know about Georgia. They are wildly inconsistent, so it is hard to pick them.
Philadelphia vs Vancouver
Pick – Vancouver
Philly is starting to put it together, but they’ve run into a brick wall, and that brick wall’s name is Christian Del Bianco. Vancouver is a very, very scary team now.
Colorado vs Calgary
Pick – Calgary
This one will have so many playoff implications and likely not just for these two teams. Unfortunately, Colorado is beat up, and the injuries are catching up to them.
Ottawa vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan
Like Buffalo, I’d be shocked if Saskatchewan doesn’t rest guys. That being said, the Rush are so deep that they can beat teams even with their back-ups.
Gary:
Halifax vs. Toronto
Halifax wins.
Halifax is still gunning for a home playoff game. Toronto is prone to making mistakes with a young lineup. This will be a close game, but Halifax prevails.
Calgary vs. Las Vegas
Calgary wins.
Vegas is unpredictable, but with Nick Rose in net, the Roughnecks are bonifide contenders. King, Dobbie, and Dickson run wild in this game.
San Diego vs. Albany
San Diego wins.
San Diego needs this to make the playoffs. I find it hard to imagine this talented team doesn’t squeek in. Look for another close game.
Toronto vs. Rochester
Rochester wins.
Rochester is white hot! Toronto played a tough game less than 24 hours earlier. Rochester wins this on a walk. Look for a Biles/Gash heavyweight tilt!
Buffalo vs. Georgia
Buffalo wins.
The Bandits want to go into the playoffs with momentum. I cannot for the life of me figure out Georgia!
Philadelphia vs. Vancouver
Vancouver wins.
Vancouver is the second hottest team in the league. Philadelphia has had good weeks against Georgia. This isn’t Georgia!
Colorado vs. Calgary
Calgary wins.
Colorado is hurting, and has been for a while. Calgary needs this to finalize their spot in the playoffs. Look for another tough game to end the year.
Ottawa vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan wins.
While Teat is going to get his points, the trick is not to let anyone else on Ottawa get theirs. Even though the game doesn’t mean anything to the Rush, they want to go into the playoffs on a high note.
Pat:
Halifax vs. Toronto
Halifax
Calgary vs. Las Vegas
Calgary
Albany vs. Albany
Albany
Toronto vs. Rochester
Rochester
Buffalo vs. Georgia
Buffalo
Philadelphia vs. Vancouver
Philadelphia
Colorado vs. Calgary
Colorado
Ottawa vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Caden:
Halifax vs Toronto
Pick – Halifax
I’m going to stay short and sweet, Thunderbirds need this win for home playoffs.
Calgary vs Las Vegas
Pick – Calgary
What feels like a must win for Calgary and just consolation for Las Vegas, give me the Roughnecks coming out on top here.
San Diego vs Albany
Pick – Albany
ALBANY IS GOING TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!! A huge win last week gives them all the momentum they need to make the push after starting 2-8.
Toronto vs Rochester
Pick – Rochester
I genuinely can see Rochester being a huge dark horse in this playoff run, they have put it together at the right time and I’ll have them win giving them all the momentum going into their first playoff matchup.
Buffalo vs Georgia
Pick – Buffalo
No matter who the Bandits play here, wether they rest starters or not, I’ll still go with Buffalo.
Philadelphia vs Vancouver
Pick – Vancouver
This is the best Vancouver has played in ages and it’s really all thanks to CDB, give me the Warriors with the win.
Colorado vs Calgary
Pick – Calgary
I really can see the Mammoth coming out of this one with an upset over Calgary, but the injuries have been way too killer over the past couple of weeks for anything to change.
Ottawa vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan
Another short and sweet one, give me the Rush beating the Black Bears although it would be great to see yet another explosive week out of Teat.
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