We’re now two weeks into the NLL playoff schedule and we’re beginning to see some statistical trends in the postseason.
The Calgary Roughnecks have won both their playoff games this year in overtime, coming up big in the late going. But they have been at their most productive in the middle of the games—they’ve scored 20 of their 28 postseason goals in the second and third quarters while only managing three goals in each of the first and fourth quarters.
The Buffalo Bandits, meanwhile, have been finishing very strong—they’ve notched 11 goals in the fourth quarter, more than any other quarter for them.
All this production from the Bandits and Roughnecks may explain why both teams are on the verge of upsetting their respective Division Final foes to face each other in the Champion’s Cup for the first time since 2004.
Both the Edmonton Rush and the Rochester Knighthawks had the two best records in the NLL during the regular season and both teams have started out like champs in the playoffs. Both the Rush and Knighthawks have sputtered late, however; Edmonton scored seven goals in the first half last week against the Roughnecks but just four in the second half while Rochester tallied five goals in the first half against Buffalo and only three in the second half.
Power play units across the board have made the most of their opportunities so far in the playoffs. The Knighthawks have the poorest power play success rate so far, scoring at a respectable 50 percent rate on four man advantage situations. The Roughnecks and Bandits are both clicking at a 62.5 percent success rate, while the Rush have converted 75 percent of their power play opportunities.
