We are now down to the final two weeks of the NLL Regular Season. Is it me or did it seem like yesterday we were talking about the Wings and their American push, along with the struggles Minnesota would have being so young with the 4 picks in round 1. When we started the month of March, I remember saying that we could have all the playoff spots wrapped up by April, and Colorado would start rebuilding. Well after getting stuffed eating crow, it seems the Mammoth are just one win away from clinching. Its obvious that Tye Belanger is the real deal for the Mammoth. If there is one team to watch out for in the playoffs the sleeper pick would be the Colorado Mammoth. With that being said, here are some things to look for in the games this weekend… Buckle Up….Its going to be crazy!!!!
Saturday April 6
Toronto Rock (10-5) vs Philadelphia Wings (6-8). A lot is riding on the line for both teams. First, a Rock win and they clinch home field throughout the playoffs. A Wings win and they clinch a playoff berth and still have a chance at a home playoff game. This is the Rocks final regular season game, both teams have split the two games so far. But, last time the Rock came to Philly they faced a Wings team without captain Brodie Merrill and defenseman Brett Manney. Now add in a healthy Brendan Mundorfand it could be a Rocky road for Toronto. Look for the Wings to come out quick as they did last week and get the home crowd to a fever pitch. Toronto will be looking to do the same and try to silence the Philly crowd. Wings finish regular season next week in Washington.
Minnesota Swarm (6-8) vs Colorado Mammoth (6-8) IN what we thought would be a battle for the final playoff spot, it has now turned into a battle of who will be the crossover team to the East. Colorado clinches with a win. Minnesota can clinch with a win and a Buffalo loss, or if Minnesota loses, and Washington wins over Buffalo they would be the crossover team (see below) Colorado’s last home game of the season. Look for Colorado to try and take control early and clinch a playoff berth. Crunch time for the Swarm, can the rookies handle the pressure? Will Evan Kirk take the reigns and lead the team?
Rochester Knighthawks (6-7) vs Calgary Roughnecks (8-6) Front end of a back to back weekend for the Hawks. Calgary up first, Can the Hawks take advantage of a Calgary team that is 3-4 at home? Will this be the weekend Rochester starts their hot streak into the playoffs and possibly defending the Champions cup in a few weeks? For Calgary a win will put them in a position to clinch the west vs Edmonton next week (if Edmonton wins this week). Look for Calgary’s offense to fire early and often, and see what Vinc can do for Rochester on the road. Rochester will look to strike early and keep pressure on Calgary as they try to claim a playoff spot
Buffalo Bandits (5-9) vs Washington Stealth (8-6) Washingtons last two games are against teams in the east, so they will need some help to get a home game in round one of the playoffs. For Buffalo, they need a miracle, must win last 2 games to even have a shot. In my opinion they mailed the season in last week after a 21-7 game against the Swarm. Look for Washington to come out firing and take care of business early against an already defeated Buffalo team. For the Bandits, Is this the next to last game for Johnny T? This is act one for guys who want to be invited to camp in November. Will frustration set in? If the game is out of hand on the scoreboard, will we see some fights as we have seen in the past? A Buffalo loss & a Rochester win eliminates them from playoffs. SO if Rochester loses both games this week, we will have Buffalo and Rochester fighting for a playoff spot in Buffalo next week.
Sunday April 7th
Rochester Knighthawks (6-7) vs. Edmonton Rush (8-6) Back end of Rochester’s weekend. What will they have left in the tank after a hard game against Calgary? One advantage is Edmonton is 1-5 at home. A lot on the line for Rochester this weekend as they can clinch a home game as well as a playoff berth. For Edmonton, a win and they will face Calgary at home for the Western Division. Mark Matthews continues his quest for Rookie of the Year. Should be a lock, 3 time Rookie of the month winner, 2 time Rookie of the week, and also Offensive player of the week winner. Matthews needs 3 goals to break John Grant Jr’s record of goals by a rookie in a single season (38).
By the time all these games are played we should have all spots clinched, and next week could be teams playing for position, or teams playing to not get hurt before the playoffs.
Playoff Scenarios are listed below.. Thanks to NLL.com
Playoffs update: Four teams in, four more can clinch this weekend
04/10/2013, 3:35pm EDT
By NLL.com
The NLL postseason begins the weekend of April 26-28
The National Lacrosse League has announced updated playoff scenarios entering Week #15 of the 16-week NLL regular season. The Calgary Roughnecks, Edmonton Rush, Toronto Rock and Washington Stealth have already clinched playoff berths while the Colorado Mammoth, Minnesota Swarm, Philadelphia Wings and Rochester Knighthawks all have the opportunity to secure their spot in the postseason this weekend.
East Division
Toronto (10-5) has clinched a playoff berth and the East Division regular season title, ensuring home field advantage through the first two playoff rounds. The Rock will host a first-round playoff game at Air Canada Centre on Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m. ET and can clinch the top overall seed in the NLL, ensuring home field throughout the entire playoffs, with a win over Philadelphia.
Rochester (6-7) can clinch a playoff berth with one win AND a Buffalo loss to Washington. Can clinch first-round home playoff game with two wins OR with one win AND a Buffalo loss to Washington AND a Toronto win over Philadelphia.
Philadelphia (6-8) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto OR a Buffalo loss to Washington.
Buffalo (5-9) eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Washington AND one Rochester win.
West Division
Calgary (8-6) has clinched a playoff berth.
Edmonton (8-6) has clinched a playoff berth. Can clinch first-round home playoff game with a win over Rochester AND a Buffalo win over Washington AND a Calgary win over Rochester.
Washington (8-6) has clinched a playoff berth. Can clinch first-round home playoff game with a win over Buffalo AND a Calgary loss to Rochester OR an Edmonton loss to Rochester.
Colorado (6-8) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Minnesota OR with a Washington win over Buffalo AND one Rochester win.
Minnesota (6-8) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Colorado AND a Rochester win over Calgary OR a Washington win over Buffalo OR a Edmonton win over Rochester. Can also clinch playoff berth via East crossover with a Washington win over Buffalo OR with a Philadelphia win over Toronto AND a Buffalo win over Washington AND two Rochester losses.
