PK’s NLL Power Rankings - Week 21
*Reminder these are Power Rankings. To see the Standings please head to NLL.com
1. Buffalo Bandits – 13-4 (Last Week: #1)
#1 team in these rankings and #1 team throughout the playoffs after their 15-12 win over Halifax on Saturday night in front of Banditland’s NLL record 5th sell out of the year. It was a back-and-forth game for the majority of the night until, after a flurry of goals to start the 4th by both teams. Bandits went on a 3-0 run to finish the game off. Josh Byrne (4/4/8) and Kyle Buchanan (4/1/5) led the way in the goal scoring department, but it was Dhane Smith with his 10-assist night that stole the show and gets himself within 3 of breaking his own NLL assist record for the 3rd straight season. Matt Vinc was amazing for the 2nd straight week making 51/63 saves in the victory and we are getting similar vibes like we got leading into the playoffs last year where he was unbeatable. The target was as big as ever for the Bandits this year after coming off back-to-back titles. And all they did was lock up a number 1 seed for the playoffs. They get Georgia this week in a meaningless game for standings sake, but NLL records are on the line.
2. Rochester Knighthawks – 10-7 (Last Week: #3)
Moving up 1 spot this week after their final bye of the season. Rochester slips down to #5 in the standings after Vancouver got the win over Toronto. This means Rochester no longer controls their own fate when it comes to hosting a playoff game. They need to win and have either Halifax or Vancouver drop their matchups this weekend to be able to get that home game. The team still holds the longest active winning streak in the NLL at 6, while also sitting 9-3 in their last 12. After starting the season a bit rough and having us begin to doubt our thoughts in the preseason of what this team could do, they are a title contending team and one that I would not be shocked if they are hoisting the trophy in May. They get the Rock on Friday night.
3. Saskatchewan Rush – 12-5 (Last Week: #4)
#2 seed clinched after their 11-6 dominate win over the Mammoth on Sunday night. 2-2 after 1, the Rush would score the next 8 and hold Colorado scoreless for 40:34 of the game. I don’t care how many players are missing. That’s incredible work. And that was led by Frank Scigliano who made 38/44 saves and is my Goalie of the Year. He has been incredible all season long and if the Rush are to be the winners come May, it is all due to the work Frankie did this season. Austin Shanks continues to be one of, if not the best free agent singing this offseason with another 4 goal, 7 point night. With nothing other than spoiler to play for on Saturday night, it will be interesting to see what lineup the Rush roll out against Ottawa who are in must win mode. You need to weigh the risk of getting a player hurt in a meaningless game vs having them go into playoffs a bit rusty after a 2-week break.
4. Halifax Thunderbirds – 10-7 (Last Week: #2)
It might be unfair to drop them this far in the rankings after a 15-12 loss to the Bandits on Saturday night. But the win by SAS was just too impressive to ignore. Tied at 12 with 9:45 to go, the T-Birds held with the Bandits the majority of the game. Randy Staats was other worldly in the loss going 4/5/9 while Clarke Petterson chipped in 3 goals of his own in a 7-point night. Drew Hutchison got the nod in net making 33/48 saves. It will be interesting to see who they lean on in the final game of the season with home field on the line. Another disappointing part of the game was being shut out in the transition game. Going into this one I had Halifax as the top team in the league in that department. Plenty still to love about this team. Although I dropped them to 4, they are still in my group of 5 that I believe can win the whole thing.
5. Vancouver Warriors – 10-7 (Last Week: #5)
For the first time since 2017 the Warriors are in the playoffs and control their own fate when it comes to the ability to host a home game after their 12-10 win over Toronto on Friday night. Jumping out to an early 7-2 lead before extending it to 12-6 early in the 4th, Vancouver controlled the pace of the game and were able to do whatever they felt like to the Rock. Adam Charalambides was electric in his 4 goal, 8 point night, while Keegan Bal continues to have his name in the MVP chatter with a 7 point night of his own. Christian Del Bianco moves to a perfect 5-0 since being acquired by the Warriors at the deadline as the team has gone from 5-7 to 10-7. The team will host a hungry Philly team who needs to win to keep any slim playoff hopes alive. Vancouver has the ability to get as high as the #3 seed with a win and a Halifax loss. Plenty to sort out still but one thing is certain. Vancouver is in the dance and is possibly the most dangerous team to go against in a win or go home round 1 game.
6. Calgary Roughnecks – 8-8 (Last Week: #7)
A bye week did wonders for this team. I’m sure no team looks forward to a back-to-back weekend, let alone in the final week of the season, but they got nearly every result to go their way in week 20. Colorado, Georgia and San Diego all lost vaulting them from 9th to 6th without even playing a single second of action. This team controls their own fate this weekend. They kick it off Friday night in Vegas before heading home to face the riddled Mammoth squad. A weekend sweep and they lock in the playoffs. A split of games and they likely need some help along the way. For a team I counted out form before the season even began, they are my biggest miss of the season. A lot of time to talk about the future of the core for the Roughnecks, but for now, the only goal is getting into the party.
7. Albany Firewolves – 7-10 (Last Week: #9)
Back into the top 8 after their 12-10 win over San Diego on Saturday night. Even at 7-10, they still have a chance at getting back into the playoffs. No team held more than a 2-goal lead throughout this one, but a 6-3 2nd half for the Firewolves was all that was needed to play spoiler for the Seals and keep their dreams alive. Tye Kurtz proved once again why he is one of the best big time game performers with a 6 goal, 8 point night. Dyson Williams has taken a strangle hold on the Rookie of the Year race in the back half of the season with a 1/6/7 night. Doug Jamieson went 39/49 in net and allowed just 1 goal in the final 16:01 of the game including a shut out for the final 8:23. Albany needs a ton to go their way. However, the biggest benefit is they play San Diego once again on Friday night. A loss and their season is over. But a win and they will be scoreboard watching all Saturday night.
8. Ottawa Black Bears – 8-9 (Last Week: #11)
Winners of 3 of their last 4 after their 13-10 win over Las Vegas have this scrappy bunch right back in the thick of it for a playoff spot. And I think they all need to bow down to the greatness that is Jeff Teat. A second quarter socktrick led to an 8-goal performance as the team moves to 8-9 on the season. Zach Higgins made 40/50 saves in the victory to keep his name in the conversation for goalie of the year. The team still ranks dead last in scoring across the NLL, but when Teat is scoring the way he is, it is hard to count this team out of a game. It is a must win game this Saturday night. If they lose, they are out. However, a win and some help and the Black Bears get to the dance in their first year in Ottawa and first time in the franchise’s history. All they have to do is win in Sask who have nothing to play for other than spoilers.
9. San Diego Seals – 8-9 (Last Week: #6)
10. Georgia Swarm – 8-9 (Last Week: #8)
11. Philadelphia Wings – 7-10 (Last Week: #13)
12. Colorado Mammoth – 8-9 (Last Week: #10)
13. Las Vegas Desert Dogs – 4-13 (Last Week: #12)
14. Toronto Rock – 5-11 (Last Week: #14)