Warm ups are over, it's time to crank up to full speed. There are seven NLL games this weekend; all 14 teams are in action. It all starts tonight, with a prime time match up in Ottawa between the Black Bears and Bandits. Fans were buzzing about the Bears after their week one dominance against Toronto. Notching a second win against the defending champs would send a very clear signal that Ottawa is for real. Elsewhere, either Vegas or Philly will get their first win this weekend. The Rock desperately need to get healthy. Brad Kri is back from the PUP List, but Chris Corbeil heads to IR. It's a tough matchup with Albany, but Toronto will be playing hungry. All that, plus other stories to watch as we settle in for another NLL Weekend.
Here's the action for the weekend. Games are viewable on ESPN+ and TSN+, as well as NLL+ around the globe. Spreads given below come from DraftKings and are current as of the time of publication.
FRIDAY
Who: Buffalo Bandits vs Ottawa Black Bears
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa
When: 7:00pm EST
The Spread: Buffalo favored by 1.5, game total set at 23.5
Who: Rochester Knighthawks vs Vancouver Warriors
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver
When: 10:00pm EST
The Spread: Rochester favored by 1.5 (+120), game total set at 23.5
Who: Colorado Mammoth vs San Diego Seals
Where: Pechanga Arena, San Diego
When: 10:30pm EST
The Spread: San Diego favored by 1.5, game total set at 22.5
SATURDAY
Who: Las Vegas Desert Dogs vs Philadelphia Wings
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
When: 6:00pm EST
The Spread: Philadelphia favored by 1.5, game total set at 23.5
Who: Calgary Roughnecks vs Albany Firewolves
Where: MVP Arena, Albany
When: 7:00pm EST
The Spread: Albany favored by 1.5, game total set at 22.5
Who: Toronto Rock vs Georgia Swarm
Where: Gas South Arena, Georgia
When: 7:30pm EST
The Spread: Georgia favored by 1.5 (+114), game total set at 21.5
Who: Halifax Thunderbirds vs Saskatchewan Rush
Where: Sasktel Centre, Saskatchewan
When: 8:00pm EST
The Spread: Halifax favored by 1.5 (+120), game total set at 24.5
STORIES TO WATCH
First Wins and Losses for Teams
Halifax, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Toronto are winless. Vegas and Toronto have played two games, the others just one. Vegas and Philadelphia battle this week, which means someone is getting their first win of the year.
Colorado, Buffalo, Georgia, Saskatchewan, Ottawa, and Calgary haven’t lost yet, though only Colorado has played two games. Buffalo travels to Ottawa this weekend, meaning someone will get their first loss.
Everyone wants to be the last team to lose a game. Nobody wants to be the last team to win a game. There’s a bit of desperation at the bottom of the standings, and a handling of pressure at the top. Both can produce fun results.
Goalie Battle in Ottawa?
Among starting goalies, the two best save percentages in the league belong to Matt Vinc and Zach Higgins, both are over 88%. Vinc made a stunning 54 saves in the Buffalo season opener, while Higgins stopped 37 against Toronto in Ottawa’s first game. The Buffalo offense is stacked, they put up 15 on Rochester last week behind 11 points from Dhane Smith. Ottawa showed an ability to grind for loose balls and wear a team down against Toronto. It could be a physical battle of attrition where the goalies make the difference this weekend. It could also be a firework show where Smith, Josh Byrne, Jeff Teat, and others score like the offensive wizards they are.
Save a screen for Jack Hannah
The Americans are coming, and Hannah is leading the charge. Through two games he has 13 points and has committed just one turnover. Vegas is excellent at making space for Hannah to isolate, and he’s been able to consistently get to the net, and score highlight goals, in those sets. His two man play with new Desert Dog Jonathan Donville has produced instant chemistry and results. Hannah was named to the All World team at the World Box Lacrosse Championships, he’s become must watch lacrosse TV.
Positive Momentum for Toronto
How can the Rock start moving in the right direction? It was two steps forward one step back this week, as Brad Kri was moved to the active roster, but Chris Corbeil went to IR. Corbeil joins Latrell Harris, Tom Schreiber, Challen Rogers, and TD Ierlan on IR. Even with that group on IR, Toronto may need to try and manufacture some transition goals. In 5v5 they’ve been stagnant (really in every offensive sense so far). Mitch de Snoo is healthy and has the ability to create scoring opportunities going from defense to offense, particularly off Nick Rose saves. A few of those early could spark the Rock out of their funk. Their opponent this weekend is Georgia. Toronto will need to jump on Brett Dobson early if they want to have a shot. Last week, Dobson allowed just one goal over the final 30+ minutes of game clock.
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