NLL Insider

So the nightmare was really a true dream just waiting to happen. Yup, Teddy Jenner pulled a perfect weekend on us in the staff picks for Week 12 of the National Lacrosse League. He even went so far as to prop himself and ya know what? Good for him. TJ deserved it. For all the crap we give him, he’s a good sport and really loves the game, even if there were just five games last week to guess on. So the 5-0 weekend moves TJ up to fourth place overall, with Ty Pilson still holding down the overall lead as we head into Week 13.

	Pilson 39-25	Chavez 38-26	Kojima 37-25	Jenner 36-28	Tutka 35-29	Ward 33-31	Shanahan 32-32
Friday
TOR @ CAL
Saturday
POR @ SJ
NY @ BUF
COL @ PHI
BOS @ ROC
CAL @ MIN
TOR @ EDM
Sunday
SJ @ POR

Toronto at Calgary

“Toronto is so unpredictable. Using reverse logic, I’ll take ‘em.” _ Steve Kojima

“I think the Roughnecks’ overall game is a tough match for the Rock and if their defense can’t contain the lethal Necks attack, it could be a long night for Toronto fans.” _ Ted Jenner

“No doubt that the Rock are playing great and getting some monster performances from the guys they need playing well, but will they be able to adapt to Calgary’s game at both ends of the floor? With the way the Rock are playing this is a pretty tough game to pick, but think I’ll stick with the Necks at home.” _ Paul Tutka

“Calgary’s pressure defence is the last thing the Toronto offence — not exactly the model of quick ball movement — wants to face. Watson is keeping them in games, but is in tough against Calgary’s powerful attack.” _ Ty Pilson

Portland at San Jose

“Should be close, I just think SJ has the better momentum heading in.” _ Steve Kojima

“Up until all that penalty trouble they got themselves in against Buffalo, Portland was getting strong tending from Disher, their D was shutting down who they needed too, and even their O was getting some decent looks… then the wheels fell off. Gotta think they’ll come out really hungry to get things back on track, and the Stealth’s inconsistent D might be just what the doctor ordered.” _ Paul Tutka

“It will be a classic high-tempo Western matchup and a crucial home-and-home match up. I think the Stealth will be a little more desperate and steal one on the road.” _ Ted Jenner

“If San Jose takes game 1 at home, depending on what happens with Colorado and the Minnesota games, San Jose could actually be in a battle for 2nd place.” _ Brian Shanahan

New York at Buffalo

“Will Casey Powell be back? It’s clear to see how important he is to this team and a return of their MVP will be huge. Coming off a huge effort last week versus Portland it seems as if coach Kilgour’s calling out of his team’s defense has worked. This could be a very fierce match up but the Bandits are the class of the league and will continue to roll!” _ Ted Jenner

“With Powell’s anticipated return, I’d love to take the Titans for an upset, but Buffalo played so disciplined in their own end last weekend and have so many weapons on O, I just can’t see them losing at home here.” _ Paul Tutka

“Buffalo looks to have rediscovered its team commitment to defence in win over Portland. Sure, Titans have a much more potent offence than Jax, but I still think Buffalo holds them to 10 or less goals and wins.” _ Ty Pilson

“I wanna take New York here, but the lay-off worries me and Buffalo was dominant last weekend.” _ Steve Kojima

“Last week, Buffalo displayed its dominance after a few weeks of mediocrity.” _ Brian Shanahan

Colorado at Philadelphia

“Said it last week, will say it again. I like the Mammoth this season. The second-best team in the West is dangerous on offence — even without Dan Carey — and Andrew Leyshon has been, for the most part this season, lights out. Wings, sans Geoff Snider, won’t match up.” _ Ty Pilson

“We’ve seen how dangerous a desperate team can be with the Rock’s and even Hawks’ recent success, and the Wings find themselves in a pretty similar situation this weekend. The Mammoth have been getting some inspired play during a rash of injuries, but I’ll take the Wings at home, a place the Mammoth haven’t won since making the move from Washington. Philly has also won the last three times these two teams have played.” _ Paul Tutka

“As improved as the Wings have been as of late, I’m more impressed with the re-emergence of the Mammoth and they will play a very in your face up tempo game and walk into a hostile Wachovia Center and steal a much needed away win.” _ Ted Jenner

Boston at Rochester

“As good as Boston can be, Rochester needs this game and they’ve played well at home, scoring 15 goals or more in each of their last three home games.” _ Steve Kojima

“I don’t expect O’Toole to have two ‘off games’ in a row, but I’m still going to take Boston in this very important road game.” _ Brian Shanahan

“The Blazers have had some time off and for them lets hope they don’t meet the same fate as the Jax did. The Hawks are one of the hottest teams right now and the play of Shawn Evans has really boosted the team. But I think the Blazers are too deep and powerful for the Hawks to maintain. Boston takes this one and keeps pace with the Bandits.” _ Ted Jenner

“Rochester has shown flashes of brilliance. Boston has simply been brilliant.” _ Ty Pilson

“The Blazers have been lights out on the road this year, owning the league’s best road record at 4-1 (tied with Calgary). I don’t think their inactivity will hurt ‘em and should come into the Blue Cross as hungry as they were almost a month ago.” _ Paul Tutka

Calgary at Minnesota

“The Roughnecks are playing consistent ball right now and even though it’ll be their second of the weekend, it’s so hard to go against ‘em of late. Minny’s definitely coming together on a ton of levels, but the Necks are the bees knees right now.” _ Paul Tutkta

“Minny’s offence just isn’t strong enough to run with Calgary. Plain and simple. It will take a stinker in net by the Roughnecks goaltending tandem for Swarm to win this one.” _ Ty Pilson

“Dan Marohl has been a real surprise for coach Jacobs and it has helped keep the Swarm in games. But even after a tough battle with the Rock the night before, Calgary will come into Minnesota and prove that they are the No. 1 team out west!” _ Ted Jenner

Toronto at Edmonton

“If there was ever a game the Rush needed to win it was this one. A loss and it pretty much knocks them out yet again and would lead to more drastic changes in Edmonton. The Rock will want to do all they can split or sweep their Alberta swing and I think their offense will be put to the test by coach Batley. The Rush’s offense again will be AWOL and the Rock will get the win.” _ Ted Jenner

“Misery loves company and Edmonton would like to keep Toronto out of the playoffs if they are not going to make it.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Toronto has been bad this year. Edmonton has been worse. Had sworn off both teams in picks after they burned me too many times already this season but have to pick one. Given the Rock remembered how to score last week and the Rush still can’t, going with T.O.” _ Ty Pilson

“If Edmonton can stay outta the box (rough 34.78% short-handed) and get a stellar game from either Levis or Atherton, I truly believe they can squeak out a win here. Lots of turmoil and inconsistent play in Edmonton this year, but I also know that a lotta guys on that team have too much pride and heart to just roll over and die the rest of the way. Rock are definitely the heavy fave, but I’ll take a flier on the Rush. Gotta try and catch Pilson somehow.” _ Paul Tutka

San Jose at Portland

“Gonna go with the Jax again for the same reason I took ‘em earlier in the weekend. With only two goals over the past month, lookin’ for Ryan Powell to really have a big rebound weekend.” _ Paul Tutka

“Game 2 of the home and home battle and both teams will want to get off to a fast start. This game will come down to who can find the second wind quicker. San Jose will be looking to continue their push for the post season but I don’t think they will be able to keep up with Jax horses.” _ Ted Jenner

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