NLL Insider

Well it’s finally the last weekend of the season and in typical NLL fashion we still have a number of battles going down to the wire.  In the East we still have two teams (New York and Buffalo) fighting for first, two teams (New York and Boston) fighting for second and two teams (Rochester and Philly) who will go head to head to determine the fourth and final playoff spot. In West it is just as exciting as the three last teams (Colorado, Minnesota and Edmonton) all have a chance at the playoffs depending on this weekend’s results. Lets check it out.

Calgary at Portland

When Calgary narrowly defeated the Edmonton Rush last weekend they successful secured first place avoided turning this game into a first place match up. However this is still a big game for both teams. Portland knocked Calgary out of the playoffs last year and if the Lumbertjax can beat Calgary for the second time in two weeks it could have serious effects on Calgary’s confidence if they meet again in the playoffs. The Roughnecks need this game, even more than Portland.  Calgary has been stronger on the road (6-1) than they have been at home this year. I’m going to go with the Roughnecks in this one.

Edmonton at Colorado

Both teams are playing for their playoff lives. Even though I did say that Edmonton needed a miracle to make the playoffs recent losses by Colorado and Minnesota have increased the possibility of that   miracle happening. Edmonton has already beaten Colorado twice so it’s very plausible that they could do it again. If that happens then they need New York to defeat Minnesota and suddenly Edmonton is in the playoffs.  I just don’t think Colorado will go along with Edmonton’s plan.  Colorado will take an early lead and ride the emotions of the crowd to win this one.

San Jose at Toronto

This game means nothing to the standings. Toronto is out and San Jose is locked in third. However this game will not lack drama.  Unfortunately for the Rock fans, this game will remind them of the glory years that now seem so long ago. Colin Doyle will be making his glorious return as the league’s top scorer and he has a chance to break two prestigious NLL records against his old team.  Since the trade three years ago, the Rock has played gone downhill while Doyle has led the Stealth to the playoffs three years in a row. Doyle will break the single season assist mark set by Josh Sanderson in Toronto and he needs 9 points to tie John Tavares’ single season points record of 115.   I’m taking San Jose to win this behind Colin Doyle’s 10-point night.

Boston at Buffalo

There have been a few times this season where I though that Boston was feeling the pressure and was about to take a step back into the pack fighting for their playoff lives. However you have to tip your hat to the coaching and on floor leadership in Boston because they have always responded when they had to including last week’s big win over Rochester.   A win for Boston could give them second place and a home playoff game in their first year.  On the other hand Buffalo needs the victory to ensure first place. A few weeks ago I said that there was no way Buffalo would lose in Boston in what was a first place game. I’m certainly going to stick with Buffalo again now that they are back home at the HSBC. Buffalo will take this.

Philly at Rochester

Everything’s on the line this game as the winner takes the last playoff spot. I didn’t think Rochester would go 0-2 last weekends and I was surprised at the butt kicking they took in Boston. Earlier in the season Philly beat them 16-13  in Rochester, not an  easy place to get a victory.  Recently , Philly has been the better team but it’s still hard to go against Rochester at home, and Pat O’Toole in a game as important as this. However that’s what I’m going to do. I’ll take Philly.

New York at Minnesota

I’ll keep this short and sweet. New York is playing for first and Minnesota  is hoping to salvage a  playoff spot after a miserable regular season. New York is hot, Minnesota is cold.  The Titans will take this.

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