March to May rolls on. We’ve got clinching scenarios in play this weekend and precious few games left. The news of the week though was the mega deal that got Christian Del Bianco off the coach by trading him to Vancouver for a boatload of picks. Del Bianco is a former MVP and instant upgrade in goal to just about everyone in the NLL. We’ve got clinching scenarios, a staggered saturday loaded with games, and playoff atmospheres taking hold. Here’s the slate:
FRIDAY
Who: Saskatchewan Rush (10-3) vs Halifax Thunderbirds (7-5)
Where: Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
When: 6:00pm EDT
The Spread: Saskatchewan favored by 1.5 (+100), game total set at 23.5
Who: Toronto Rock (4-8) vs Vancouver Warriors (5-7)
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver
When: 10:00pm EDT
The Spread: Toronto favored by 1.5 (+124), game total set at 21.5
SATURDAY
Who: Colorado Mammoth (7-5) vs Philadelphia Wings (5-7)
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
When: 1:00pm EDT
The Spread: Philadelphia favored by 1.5 (+124), game total set at 24.5
Who: Rochester Knighthawks (7-7) vs Ottawa Black Bears (5-6)
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa
When: 3:00pm EDT
The Spread: Ottawa favored by 1.5 (+130), game total set at 21.5
Who: Georgia Swarm (7-5) vs Albany FireWolves (4-9)
Where: MVP Arena, Albany
When: 7:00pm EDT
The Spread: Georgia favored by 1.5 (-105), game total set at 22.5
Who: Buffalo Bandits (9-2) vs Calgary Roughnecks (7-6)
Where: WestJet Field at Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
When: 9:00pm EDT
The Spread: Buffalo favored by 1.5 (-135), game total set at 25.5
SUNDAY
Who: Las Vegas Desert Dogs (3-10) vs San Diego Seals (6-6)
Where: Pechanga Arena, San Diego
When: 4:30pm EDT
The Spread: San Diego favored by 2.5 (-130), game total set at 23.5
STORIES TO WATCH
Clinch time?
The Rush can become the first team to clinch a playoff spot this weekend. With a win against Halifax, they could reach 11 wins, and with the current standings that guarantees a top eight finish. They are the first team to reach double digit wins this year, are second in score differential (trailing only Buffalo), and have a ridiculous 6-1 record when they play away games. That should help them in the hostile environment that is the Scotiabank Centre.
Del Bianco to the Rescue?
Vancouver acquired former MVP Christian Del Bianco this week. The move felt like a long time coming. Del Bianco has technically been a free agent, but Calgary franchise tagged him, which means he was not able to sign with any other team. He had sought an opportunity to join Vancouver, his home city. After spending the year on the Holdout List, the deadline deal has him join the 5-7 Warriors who are looking up in the standings at playoff spots. With six games remaining, time for a run is drying up. They’ve lost two in a row, and the remaining schedule still includes two games with Toronto and a trip to Banditland. Can the acquisition of a former MVP goalie launch the Warriors into the top eight? It has to start with a home win against Toronto this weekend.
Battle for the middle
There are 14 teams in the NLL. Nine of them have between five and seven wins. Two key games this weekend feature teams from that grouping. Colorado plays Philadelphia, and Rochester plays Ottawa. For the Knighthawks, wins now are critical. They’ve played 14 games already, so they have a smaller margin for error as they try to grab a playoff spot. The target number still looks to be in the neighborhood of 9 wins to lock up a playoff spot. Expect playoff intensity in both of these contests.
It’s Groundhog Day…Again
Buffalo plays the second half of a home and home and makes the trip to Calgary on Saturday night. For Nick Rose, this is deja vu all over again. Rose had already seen Buffalo twice this year as the goalie for the Toronto Rock. He was acquired by Calgary via trade before this home and home against Buffalo. That makes this weekend the 4th time this year that Rose will face the Buffalo Bandits. Not an enviable position. Buffalo also makes the trip out to Calgary and brings a perfect 6-0 road record with them. As much of a weapon as Banditland is, Buffalo has yet to drop a game on the road this year. Calgary defending their home turf and beating Buffalo twice would certainly turn some heads and set narratives heading toward the playoffs.
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