by “Muffler” Mike Kostiuk
Lax Philly – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
Below are the potential playoff scenarios for the NLL’s Week 20 slate of games. Four playoff spots have already been clinched; another four spots remain up for grabs.
Buffalo Bandits (13-3, 1st place East Division)
- Clinch #1 Seed in East and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over Georgia OR a Toronto loss to Halifax
Toronto Rock (11-5, 2nd place East Division)
- Clinch #2 Seed in East and a first-round home playoff game with a win over Halifax
Halifax Thunderbirds (9-6, 3rd place East Division)
- Clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto
Philadelphia Wings (8-8, 5th place East Division, “Wild Card” Leader)
- Clinch a playoff berth with a win over Albany
Albany FireWolves (7-9, 6th place East Division)
- Eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Philadelphia
Calgary Roughnecks (8-7, 3rd place West Division)
- Clinch a playoff berth with a win over Vancouver (in the event of a tie with Panther City at 9-9, Roughnecks win the head-to-head tiebreaker 2-1)
Panther City Lacrosse Club (6-9, 4th place West Division)
- Eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to San Diego AND wins by Georgia and Calgary
Vancouver Warriors (6-10, 5th place West Division)
- Eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Calgary
“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
