It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re all probably over our Christmas hangovers at this point, and firmly entrenched in the lightest work week of the year. Bowl games, leftovers, playing with new toys, that’s what this week is all about. That and, of course, another weekend in the NLL. Put down the nerf guns, legos, candy canes, and other treats and kick back for some lacrosse on Saturday.
Six games on the schedule this weekend, including a return to action for six teams that had last weekend off.
All spread info comes from DraftKings. If you are serious about betting games, you should always line shop for the best value across all available books.
SATURDAY
Who: Albany FireWolves (1-2) vs Halifax Thunderbirds (0-3)
Where: Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
When: 6:00pm EST
The Spread: Albany favored by 1.5 (+110), game total set at 23.5
Who: Rochester Knighthawks (1-3) vs Buffalo Bandits (2-0)
Where: Keybank Center, Buffalo
When: 6:30pm EST
The Spread: Buffalo favored by 2.5, game total set at 22.5
Who: Ottawa Black Bears (1-1) vs Toronto Rock (0-3)
Where: Paramount Fine Foods Centre, Toronto
When: 7:00pm EST
The Spread: Toronto favored by 1.5 (+124), game total set at 21.5
Who: Philadelphia Wings (2-1) vs Saskatchewan Rush (3-0)
Where: Sasktel Centre, Saskatchewan
When: 8:00pm EST
The Spread: Saskatchewan favored by 1.5 (+100), game total set at 24.5
Who: Vancouver Warriors (1-1) vs Calgary Roughnecks (2-0)
Where: Westjet Field at Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
When: 9:00pm EST
The Spread: Calgary favored by 1.5 (+105), game total set at 22.5
SUNDAY
Who: Georgia Swarm (3-0) vs Colorado Mammoth (3-1)
Where: Ball Arena, Colorado
When: 4:00pm EST
The Spread: Georgia favored by 1.5 (+110), game total set at 22.5
STORIES TO WATCH
Who’s for real?
Saskatchewan is 3-0. The Wings offense is ablaze. The combined record of the Rush opponents is 2-8. The Wings have run it up on the lowly Desert Dogs twice. This weekend, it’s a different story because they take the floor against each other. As you can see above, this game has the highest total of the weekend at 24.5. A holiday shootout could be in order. One thing is for sure, we’ll learn a thing or two about both these teams in this one. Is the Philly offense for real, ready to deal with an aggressive defense and a goaltender who has been solid to start the year? Can the Rush let a team with this amount of firepower hang around the game, then try to snatch victory at the end? Or will their dangerous ways catch up to them?
Second great “are they for real” game, Georgia visits Colorado. The Swarm are out to a 3-0 start. Two wins over San Diego, and a win over Toronto. Last week they won on the road out west, and that trip continues with a visit to the Loud House. Colorado has won both their home games by at least four goals, beating Vancouver and Halifax. The common opponent is San Diego, who beat Colorado. But the Mammoth are humming way better than they were a season ago. The addition of Will Malcom and the return of Ryan Lee have the offense cooking. Connor Kelly is having an excellent year, already up to 25 points. Both these teams have the look of a contender right now; Sunday’s contest is the game of the weekend.
How does Halifax respond?
The Thunderbirds were in the news all week for the worst possible reason. Tyson Bell was captured on video punching a fan and hitting another with his stick. The team has announced Bell is suspended, and Adam Levi is reporting that the suspension is indefinite. Halifax was already 0-3, having dropped thief first two games by a goal and then lost on the road against Colorado. Before the season their first three opponents might have been thought of as a light start, it’s proven to be anything but. Calgary and Saskatchewan refuse to lose, and Colorado at home has been a juggernaut. But 0-3 is 0-3, compounded by the Bell incident making the rounds everywhere from Barstool to TMZ, Halifax needs a quality performance. If they can’t come out focused and ready on their home floor against Albany, the spiral will be irrecoverable.
Toronto vs Ottawa, Round Deux
The Battle of Ontario is a fun brewing rivalry. The arena looks to be sold out (selling out lacrosse venues is good, no matter the size, because it means lacrosse is ready for a bigger venue). The Rock must be feeling desperate for that first win. They sit at 0-3, and had all of last weekend and the holiday to stew over their winless start. As battered and bruised as they are, Toronto has to put it together soon or later. Ottawa sits at 1-1 after being thoroughly thrashed by the Bandits. Their win over Toronto suddenly might not seem so impressive. This game starts a three game road trip for the Black Bears, and it is, no pun intended, a bear. At Toronto, then at San Diego, then at Georgia. A win against a rival, for the second time in a month, is the way they need to start this road trip.
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