Pick Ems

ReCap

Kevin M. Neibauer- LaxPhilly– a Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.

As muddled as the NLL was last weekend, the so-called LaxPhilly experts were just as muddled.

Ross suddenly finds himself in a slump and went 3-6

Chasing Ross is Gary who also went 3-6.

Shawn and the Philly Sooth Sayer,Kevin, gained ground with their 5-4 marks

Muffler Mike fell back below the .500 mark with his 2-7.

Standings:

Ross McLoughlin. 65-36

Gary Groob. 61-40

Shawn Slaght. 61-40

Kevin Neibauer 60-42

“Muffler”Mike Kostiuk. 49-52

This Week…

Another full slate of games with a few possible playoff previews.

We start in Canada and Mr.Lacrosse, Gary Groob.

Halifax vs. Calgary

Halifax wins

This is a must win for the Thunderbirds if they want to keep in the hunt for a home playoff date. They had their glitch, but are back rolling.

Philadelphia vs. San Diego

San Diego wins.

The Seals uncharacteristically were taken off their game in Toronto. Look for them to a much more focused group against a team that still hasn’t beat anyone .500 or better.

New York vs. Buffalo

Buffalo wins

With one win, Buffalo clinches the division title…this is that one win. While they lost last week in Colorado, don’t be fooled. This is a powerful, deep team. Expect a lopsided win.

Toronto vs. Rochester

Toronto wins

Toronto has knocked off both division leaders, and have won 6 of their last 8 games.

Rochester is playing for draft picks and next season.

PCLC vs. Calgary

PCLC wins

5 straight, soon to be 6! This team believes in itself. Calgary have shown moments of brilliance, but also moments of wtf…

San Diego vs. Colorado

Colorado wins

Dillon Ward will frustrate the Seals team, and the high flying Mammoth will soar in this game.

Vancouver vs. Saskatchewan

Vancouver wins.

The better team in this match-up is the Warriors. The explosive offense will score early and often, leaving the Rush to claw from behind again.

We venture South and the King of the Second Guess, Kevin M. Neibauer …for those asking what the M stands for, simply ME…

Halifax-Calgary

Calgary

Home Field advantage ..Halifax is reeling…the West will tighten up even more this week.

Philadelphia-San Diego

San Diego

Philadelphia has not beaten a team with a winning record and it won’t start with this game.

The Seals can’t be happy with basically getting handled by Toronto…Philly drops further back in playoff race.

New York-Buffalo

Buffalo

The Bandits had a hiccup last week but will come roaring back with memories of New York having taken them to Overtime.

Toronto- Rochester

Toronto

This, unless you are a Toronto fan will be the surprise of the week.
The Rock are rolling but, historically, Rochester brings their A game against Toronto.
A two goal win with one in the empty net

PCLC-Calgary

PCLC

The game of the weekend…High Scoring affair which is not good news for Calgary

For Calgary to have a shot, it’s imperative to stay out of the penalty box

San Diego-Colorado

Colorado

This shapes up to be a classic.
The Seals playing two games in 24 hours will be problematic and Colorado is another team on a positive run..Ryan Lee is the difference in another two goal game.

Vancouver- Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan

The head scratcher of the week.

Two Teams trying to find their identity.

Vancouver started out like world beater, the loss of Mitch Jones has finally caught up to them.

The Rush all but playing for pride ..is the pride enough? For this game, yes.

Off to New England and “Muffler” Mike Kostiuk who finished licking his wounds after his implosion last week.

Bad luck continues as he is coughing up hairballs

HFX @ CGY
Calgary. Roughnecks are motivated by their jump from 5th place to a secure playoff spot, and look to even their record after being written off a month ago.

PHI @ SD
San Diego. Seals take advantage of the Wings learning to gel again after the multitude of trades made.

NY @ BUF
Buffalo. New York is all but eliminated from playoff contention. If Crawford is inactive, this could be the blowout of the week.

TOR @ ROC
Toronto. The Rock have regrouped and will tighten their hold on the #2 Seed in the East, while Rochester looks forward to that #2 Pick in the 2022 Entry Draft.

PCLC @ CGY
Panther City. On a 5-game win streak, coming off a bye week, facing a tired Roughnecks team on the back end of a doubleheader, with a chance to take the season series and move into the #3 Seed in the West? Sign PCLC up!

SD @ COL
San Diego. The Seals have Colorado’s number this year. Knowing a win would all but lock up the #1 Seed in the West will provide extra motivation to power through the back end of their doubleheader.

VAN @ SASK
Saskatchewan. Yes, Vancouver looks to be the better team of the two right now, despite the recent slide. Derek Keenan doesn’t care, and will light one hell of a fire under the Rush’s ass in his return to the bench for the final homestand.

Crossing the Border once again and Shawn Slaght..

Shawn got the most from his 8 Ball until he dropped and broke it ..now, he’s back to the tea leaves

Halifax vs Calgary
Pick – Halifax

The East is the stronger division. I don’t think there is any questioning that. I have a hard time believing a 9-5 east team could lose to a 6-7 west team. Then again, this is the NLL and anything can happen but I have to go with my gut.

Philadelphia vs San Diego
Pick – San Diego

And now to contradict myself. If any team can compete with the East it’s San Diego. The Wings just lack consistency. One week they look like contenders, the next they are getting blown out.

New York vs Buffalo
Pick – Buffalo

The Bandits are on a mission and the Riptide are their next victims. I’ve been impressed how this Riptide team has come together but it just won’t be their night.

Toronto vs Rochester
Pick – Toronto

I can see this game being a blowout. Every game is important for the Rock as they jockey to get a high playoff ranking. Meanwhile, there are very few positives for Rochester.

Panther City vs Calgary
Pick – Panther City

It’s a long week for Calgary and it’ll be a battle against Halifax to begin the week so they’ll be tired. Add that with the fact Calgary has simply been OK this season makes them ripe for the pickens. Panther City has had the hot hand lately and it’ll continue.

San Diego vs Colorado
Pick – San Diego

If Colorado can bring their A-game this one could be close. Question is, will that be enough? This is a huge game in terms of San Diego dealing first place.

Vancouver vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan

On paper, the obvious pick would be Vancouver. I’m looking at the intangible that was the coaching change over the weekend. It’ll send a message that anyone is expendable. The Rush might be all but out of the playoff race, but the message has been sent they are playing for jobs.

On to San Diego and Ross McLoughlin who suffered when his 8 Ball took a two week vacation.

Halifax vs. Calgary

Winner Halifax

High stakes in this game, Halifax wins the Altera cup if they win this game, Calgary must win if they want any hope of playoffs.

Philadelphia vs. San Diego

Winner San Diego

Wings are coming into this game after watching the Seals have near 5 fights in the last game. With very few punchers on the Wings, I dont think they have the stick skills to flat out score the Seals stingy defense. Seals want to finish off the West this weekend And winning this game is the start.

New York vs. Buffalo

Winner Buffalo

Buffalo can clinch the east with this win. The Riptide are not going down without a battle and will bring Bandits everything they can handle.

Toronto vs. Rochester

Winner Toronto

Toronto is playing above their weight, But this is also a can’t loose game…. How did that can’t lose game work out for the Bandits last week? Then again Rochester is not the Mammoth.

PCLC vs. Calgary

Winner PCLC

Nick Damude is a HOT goalie right now. PC has a chance to Remove Calgary from the playoffs. And I think they take it.

San Diego vs. Colorado

Winner San Diego

Seals should be in a CAN’T LOSE situation, then again not having a legitimate Faceoff guy is really hurting the Seals team every loss they have they have lost the majority of possessions and given the other team double digit shot counts over their own.

Vancouver vs. Saskatchewan

Winner Vancouver

This is not going to be a friendly game, Warriors need this game to get back into the playoffs. Rush are just really playing to finish the season…

Pick Em’s