2022-2023 NLL ‘Pickems – Week Sixteen

All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.

Week Fifteen Totals:

Shawn………………..4-3
Ryan…………………..5-2
“Muffler” Mike……4-3
Gary…………………..5-2

Year to Date:

Gary………………….57-29
Shawn……………….56-30
Ryan………………….51-35
“Muffler” Mike…..48-38

Week Sixteen:

“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk:

SASK @ CGY

Calgary. The Roughnecks are on a roll, while the Rush are reeling. The gap between contenders and pretenders in the West gets wider.

SD @ VAN

Vancouver. I can’t explain why, but I’m still not fully sold on this Seals team. But I am sold on the Warriors turning things around as of late, particularly with Aaron Bold in net.

GA @ PHI

Philadelphia. This will be a close game, as it has been the last 6 or 7 times they’ve met. The Wings have a chance to possibly go 2 games up on Halifax for the final secure playoff spot in the East, and will take advantage.

TOR @ HFX

Toronto. Even at home, I can’t see the Thunderbirds righting the ship against a Rock team whose only weakness (besides a few key injuries) is occasional poor shot selection.

ALB @ NY

New York. It may be too little, too late for the Riptide, but they will sweep this season series and keep their longshot playoff hopes alive.

COL @ BUF

Buffalo. I cannot overstate enough how motivated the Bandits will be to exact some measure of revenge for last year’s Finals performance. Another game that will widen that gap in the West if my predicted outcome happens.

LV @ PCLC

Panther City. Joke about the attendance issue all you want, but if you can’t see the steady building of positive momentum on this team, be prepared to hear “I told you so” when the West Division Final rolls around (hint: that’s a playoff prediction from me)

PHI @ ROC

Rochester. Both teams are riding high right now, but I’m giving the edge to the Knighthawks at home (and not on a doubleheader).

Shawn Slaght:

Saskatchewan vs Calgary

Pick – Calgary

You would think that teams would have caught on how to stop Calgary’s transition game. Yet, here we are. The Roughnecks are showing that they have multiple weapons at their disposal and it all starts and ends with Christian Del Bianco. Saskatchewan, on the other hand, can’t buy a break. Their youth is starting to show as they battle for the final playoff spot in the West.

San Diego vs Vancouver

Pick – San Diego

If you asked me a month ago about this game I’d tell you it would be San Diego is a landslide. Since trading away Mitch Jones and bringing Aaron Bold back into the fold, the Warriors are starting to buy-in once again. However, I think San Diego’s firepower will be too much this time around.

Georgia vs Philadelphia

Pick – Philadelphia

Speaking of Mitch Jones, boy what a difference he’s had to the Wings’ lineup. Philadelphia is coming from behind to make a late playoff push, so this game as a lot of meaning for them. Georgia is a team that’s starting to find their groove, but its coming too late in the season.

Toronto vs Halifax

Pick – Toronto

A part of me really wants to pick Halifax, but there have been inconsistant all year long. Which Thunderbirds team will actually show up on Saturday night? Toronto is making a run for the championship and this is just another step forward for them.

Albany vs New York

Pick – New York

More than anything this will help make the Dyson Williams sweepstakes more clear. New York is making strides to become a contender, while Albany is looking towards next year. Look for the Riptide to take this one so that Albany is a step closer to winning the sweepstakes.

Colorado vs Buffalo

Pick – Buffalo

A rematch of last year’s final. The difference? Colorado does not look like the championship calibre team they were last year. The Mammoth could be on the outside looking in in the west division.

Las Vegas vs Panther City

Pick – Las Vegas

I’m going with the upset here. I like what Panther City has going for them but Las Vegas is starting to find its stride and when they are firing on all cylinders, the Desert Dogs will give you a run for your money.

Philadelphia vs Rochester

Pick – Rochester

This is more of a tough break for the Wings. Already playing once this weekend, they have to bring tired legs in to take on one of the top teams in the east. I could see Philadelphia keeping it close in the first half, but run out of gas in the third and fourth quarters.

Gary Groob:

Saskatchewan vs. Calgary

Calgary wins.

The Roughnecks have shown they are for real.  The fast paced transition game led by fast passes from goalie Christian Del Bianco have put many teams on their heals.  The teams match-up well, but the difference is…goaltending!

San Diego vs. Vancouver

San Diego wins.

Vancouver has played much better recently, but aren’t quite ready for this test yet.  San Diego has been quietly putting together an exceptional season, goaltending is still an issue.  The Seals get by, but not by the blowout everyone is expecting.

Georgia vs. Philadelphia

Georgia wins.

Georgia has played exceptionally better the last few weeks, and will give this Wings team all they can handle.  Look for Lyle, Jackson, and Kew to have really big nights.

Toronto vs. Halifax

Toronto wins.

The Rock look to clinch a playoff spot with a win in this game.  The defense got stronger, while the offense got healthier.  If Halifax doesn’t stay disciplined, it’s over quickly.

Albany vs. New York

New York wins.

Albany are now in full rebuild mode, and probably will be moving more players before the trade deadline.   New York has been a much more competitive team recently.  Jeff Teat has a huge evening for the Riptide.

Colorado vs. Buffalo

Buffalo wins.

Bandits are healthy, and even scarier than they were in the last number of games.  Colorado has been disappointing this year, and this game may have big consequences to their playoff run.

Las Vegas vs. PCLC

PCLC wins.

This is a very evenly matched game.  Panther City will just get by, in what will be an absolutely epic affair.

Philadelphia vs. Rochester

Rochester wins.

The Knighthawks put a knife in the Wings playoff plans.  This Rochester squad is the real deal, and will run a tired Wings team up and down the floor in an unrelenting fashion.

Ryan McMichael:

Saskatchewan vs. Calgary

Calgary

San Diego vs. Vancouver

San Diego

Georgia vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Toronto vs. Halifax

Halifax

Albany vs. New York

New York

Colorado vs. Buffalo

Buffalo

Las Vegas vs. PCLC

PCLC

Philadelphia vs. Rochester

Rochester

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