The 2017 season has flown by and we find ourselves already in Week 18. There are still two playoff spots available in the East as well as positioning opportunities in both divisions.
Every team is in action and six games on tap in a sprint to the finish line.
This season NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Mia Gordon, Tyson Geick, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week. Here are the standings so far:
|
TEAM
|
WINS
|
LOSSES
|
GB
|
| 1. Andy |
40
|
29
|
—
|
| 2. Mia |
39
|
30
|
1
|
| 3. Tyson |
35
|
34
|
5
|
| 4. Shanny |
34
|
35
|
6
|
Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.
Georgia Swarm (12-4) at Rochester Knighthawks (6-10) – Friday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
Rochester is channeling their inner Bon Jovi “Living on a Prayer” to make the playoffs. The Knighthawks need to sweep the NLL leading Swarm and get help. I think the home crew keeps it close, but Georgia is just too dangerous right now.
Pick: Swarm
Mia
I am going for the upset in this one, Rochester has everything to lose in this game and they have stepped up under pressure situations, especially in front of their home fans
Pick: Knighthawks
Tyson
I think the Swarm will put an end to the Knighthawks playoff hopes in the first of their weekend series. This team’s been too hot, and one win will lock them down top spot in the league.
Pick: Swarm
Shanny
Pick: Swarm
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #GAvsROC
Saskatchewan Rush (11-5) at Colorado Mammoth (9-8) – Friday, 9:30pm ET
Andy
The Rush may have clinched the West title, but top spot in the league and home floor advantage throughout the playoffs is on the line. Colorado hasn’t been nearly as dominant at Pepsi Center this year and Saskatchewan has owned this head-to-head.
Pick: Rush
Mia
Saskatchewan has had Colorado’s number and with the fight for first in the league I feel their top guns are going to come out shooting.
Pick: Rush
Tyson
The Mammoth had the Rush last time, but I see Sask with the upper hand in this one though.
Pick: Rush
Shanny
Pick: Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #SASvsCOL
Vancouver Stealth (8-9) at New England Black Wolves (8-9) – Saturday, 7pm ET
Andy
This is as close of a pick’em as you can get this week as both clubs are playing for home floor advantage in the first round. Stealth have come on strong the last quarter of the season, however, I’m feeling the Black Wolves 5-3 record in New England gives them a slight edge.
Pick: Black Wolves
Mia
Because I have been asked please not to pick New England I am going with Vancouver. Cannot blame me this week!
Pick: Stealth
Tyson
This team is battling for home floor in the playoffs… and since the last three games they’ve won have been at home, that’ll be big for them. Lots on the line for both clubs, but I see the Stealth continuing to surge.
Pick: Stealth
Shanny
Pick: Black Wolves
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #VANvsNE
Rochester Knighthawks (???) at Georgia Swarm (???) – Saturday, 7:05pm ET
Andy
I picked Georgia to win the first matchup Friday in Rochester, which would eliminate the Knighthawks and lock up the NLL’s best record. That means the Swarm can take it easy and that lets Rochester finish 2017 on a positive.
Pick: Knighthawks
Mia
I don’t know if Rochester will be able to keep it up against the hottest offense for two games in a row.
Pick: Swarm
Tyson
I think that the Swarm might be resting some of their players if they’re able to lock the top spot in the league. The Knighthawks will be focused on closing the 2017 season on a winning note.
Pick: Knighthawks
Shanny
Pick: Swarm
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #ROCvsGA
Toronto Rock (8-9) at Buffalo Bandits (6-11) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
It’s knuckle up time for the Rock. They definitely do not want to enter the post-season on their current slide and need to prove to themselves they are ready to hunt for the Champion’s Cup. The Bandits would love to play spoiler and keep Toronto out of a playoff date at the ACC.
Pick: Rock
Mia
With an injury plagued roster I think Toronto will finally be able to snap the losing streak
Pick: Rock
Tyson
PLAYOFFS are on the line for the Rock, while the Bandits have nothing to play for. The Rock have to be hungry, and have to be focused on putting an end to this 4 game losing skid.
Pick: Rock
Shanny
Pick: Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #TORvsBUF
Saskatchewan Rush (???) at Calgary Roughnecks (7-10) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
Back-to-back road games is a tough way to end the 2017 schedule for Saskatchewan especially since they are below .500 on the road. The Roughnecks have only pride to play for and I think they’ll finish strong in-front of their hometown fans.
Pick: Roughnecks
Mia
The Roughnecks have nothing to lose in this one and with the Rush’s tough weekend I feel they may try and rest some of their top players. Calgary might finally be able to snap the streak against their rivals.
Pick: Roughnecks
Tyson
The time is now for the ‘Necks to put an end to this ugly losing streak they have to the Rush organization.
Pick: Roughnecks
Shanny
Pick: Roughnecks
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #SASvsCAL
Andy McNamara has been a play-by-play commentator for the NLL on TSN, NLLTV.com, and world lacrosse tournaments since 2011. He’s also a sport talk host and anchor on TSN 1050 sports radio. Follow Andy on twitter @AndyMc81.
