All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.
Week 15:
“Muffler” Mike…3-2
Shawn……………..0-5
Gary…………………1-4
Pat…………………..1-4
Caden………………3-2
Standings:
Shawn……………..53-33 0.616
Pat…………………..51-35 0.593
Caden………………50-36 0.581
Gary…………………48-38 0.558
“Muffler” Mike…47-39 0.547
Week 16 picks:
“Muffler” Mike:
Toronto vs. Halifax
Toronto. Both teams were on the quieter side at the trade deadline. I’m not sure Halifax really addressed any issues plaguing them, and home has not been much of a haven for them, despite a crucial win last week.
Philadelphia vs. Oshawa
Oshawa. This will be another close game similar to last week. The FireWolves were quiet at the trade deadline, while the Wings were significant sellers, which will put them in a bit of disarray as plenty of new faces enter the mix.
Colorado vs. Buffalo
Colorado. The Bandits made moves, but will it be enough to propel them to a 4th straight title? I think Colorado bounces back from a mid-season slump here – let’s not forget their first meeting this season was a 20-9 drubbing by the Mammoth.
Vancouver vs. Georgia
Vancouver. Going out on a limb here, but Curt Malawsky has done a solid job of rallying this team after every single loss this year. Facing the best goaltender in the league will not be treated any differently by this high-powered Warriors offense.
Ottawa vs. Calgary
Calgary. I know the Black Bears are on a 4-game win streak and look especially impressive in the fourth quarters of games. But the Roughnecks have looked equally solid in their last two outings despite going 1-1, as though something finally clicked across the team. I think they will pull off the upset at home.
San Diego vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan. Don’t be fooled by the difference in W-L records – these teams are more evenly matched than those records reflect. And each team could just as easily have been 2-0 in Week 14, instead of 0-2. Leaning towards the home floor advantage, as the Rush have yet to drop a home contest this season.
Rochester vs. Las Vegas
Las Vegas. Both teams made some changes at the trade deadline, but I’m going with the team that kept their coaching staff intact and will have less adjustments to make.
Shawn:
Toronto vs. Halifax
Pick – Toronto
The Rock are slowly finding their stride. While both teams have been a bit inconsistent, Toronto has been better more times than not compared to Halifax.
Philadelphia vs. Oshawa
Pick – Oshawa
With the deals at the trade deadline, I just get the feeling the Wings are pulling the chute on this season. At some point, the fans are going to get tired of the constant “rebuild.” This is a perfect opportunity for Oshawa to try and find their footing.
Colorado vs. Buffalo
Pick – Buffalo
Boy, this is a toss-up, but I’m going to give Buffalo a slight edge. They have been playing much better as of late and only added to the lineup at the trade deadline. That said, yes, Colorado has picked up wins, but hasn’t looked great as of late.
Vancouver vs. Georgia
Pick – Vancouver
I’m going to state the obvious: this will be a low-scoring affair with Del Bianco facing Dobson. I think Vancouver has a hair more depth to pull this one off.
Ottawa vs. Calgary
Pick – Ottawa
Despite the records, don’t expect this to be a blowout. Calgary is giving teams fits, and they are only going to get better as they gel as a group. That being said, who is the best fourth-quarter team in the league? Look for Ottawa to pull away late in the game.
San Diego vs. Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan
You can throw the records out the window. These two teams always play each other tough. The Rush want to keep on top of the standings and shake off their past two losses. I also think Saskatchewan just has more depth scoring compared to San Diego.
Rochester vs. Las Vegas
Pick – Las Vegas
I just don’t understand what is going on in Rochester. I have a hard time believing that the team will be all that motivated after the front office cleaned out the coaching staff. And Vegas is a team that will make you pay if you take your foot off the gas.
Gary:
Toronto vs. Halifax
Toronto wins.
These teams have been heading in different directions for weeks now. Although the Rock’s defense has experienced a lot of injuries, I think the team comes out flying. This will be a high scoring affair.
Philadelphia vs. Oshawa
Oshawa wins.
Ryan Benesch will add the veteran leadership the Oshawa team has lacked. With a ton of youthful exuberance, they build off of last week’s win in Philly. The Wings showed they are preparing for next year.
Colorado vs. Buffalo
Colorado wins.
The Bandits made moves, but will Resetarits take some of Dhane’s touches away? Colorado has looked off the last three games. There is no better place than Banditland to get rolling once again.
Vancouver vs. Georgia
Georgia wins.
This could very well be a 4-3 final. Both Christian Del Bianco and Brett Dobson have the ability to take control of the game. Look for Georgia to push the pace with their young legs. This game won’t be decided until late.
Ottawa vs. Calgary
Ottawa wins.
While the Roughnecks have looked better the last few games, Ottawa has been steady. The best fourth quarter team in the league keeps proving it week after week. Look for another exciting finish.
San Diego vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan wins.
No team goes unscathed in the season, and Saskatchewan had two weeks to think about what went wrong. Look for this to be a track meet with the Rush coming out on top.
Rochester vs. Las Vegas
Rochester wins.
Mearnsy will have the Knighthawks ready and re-focused! Blaze Riorden will have a role once again, and Vegas won’t have the answers.
Pat:
Toronto vs. Halifax
Toronto Rock
Philadelphia vs. Oshawa
Oshawa FireWolves
Colorado vs. Buffalo
Colorado Mammoth
Vancouver vs. Georgia
Georgia Swarm
Ottawa vs. Calgary
Ottawa Black Bears
San Diego vs. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Rush
Rochester vs. Las Vegas
Las Vegas Desert Dogs
Caden:
Toronto vs Halifax —
Pick: Toronto Rock
Toronto’s been the more stable team this year and Halifax has been hovering under .500, so I’ll ride with the deeper offense and better consistency from the Rock.
Philadelphia vs Oshawa —
Pick: Philadelphia Wings
Oshawa’s still figuring things out after the relocation and roster turnover, while Philly usually plays a faster transition game that can punish teams that make mistakes.
Colorado vs Buffalo —
Pick: Colorado Mammoth
Colorado’s been one of the top teams in the league standings and they tend to grind games down with physical defense, which usually gives Buffalo problems.
Vancouver vs Georgia —
Pick: Vancouver Warriors
Both are good, but Vancouver’s been rolling this year and their offense has been clicking — feels like the hotter team right now.
Ottawa vs Calgary —
Pick: Ottawa Black Bears
Calgary’s struggled near the bottom of the standings, while Ottawa’s quietly put together a solid season and usually wins the grind-it-out games.
San Diego vs Saskatchewan —
Pick: Saskatchewan Rush
The Rush have been one of the best teams in the league record-wise, and they play a disciplined style that usually beats the more streaky Seals.
Rochester vs Las Vegas —
Pick: Rochester Knighthawks
Vegas can score but their defense leaks goals — Rochester usually finds a way in those kinds of games.
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