April 1, 2026
Week 18 in the National Lacrosse League featured six games with playoff implications. Although no new teams clinched playoff spots, both Oshawa and Calgary were eliminated from contention, leaving eight teams in the mix for five spots. Buffalo continued to assert its dominance, winning its fifth straight game and its second of the season over 2025 Finals rival Saskatchewan. Las Vegas picked up its third consecutive win, beating Calgary, and Georgia won their second, taking down Ottawa. Toronto fell to already-eliminated Philadelphia on Sunday, though the Wings kicked off the week with a loss to Halifax. Here are this week’s movers and shakers:
8) Ottawa Black Bears (8-8)
Week 18 Result: Lost to Georgia 12-7
Week 19 Opponent: Bye Week
Previous Ranking: 8th
Ottawa’s recent stretch continued this weekend with a loss to Georgia, marking their third straight. The Black Bears were right in it at halftime, trailing just 6–5, but a five-goal third quarter from the Swarm created separation. There were still positives for Ottawa. Rob Hellyer paced the offense with a hat trick and three assists, and the team remained active in the gritty areas, collecting 80 loose balls. Georgia, however, found another gear in the second half and capitalized on key opportunities.
With two games remaining, Ottawa sits seventh in the standings with a tight playoff race unfolding around them. There’s still a clear path forward, but these final matchups will carry significant weight.
7) Las Vegas Desert Dogs (7-7)
Henderson, USA – March 28, 2026: Calgary Roughnecks vs Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, USA. (Photo by Candice Ward/National Lacrosse League)
Week 18 Result: Beat Calgary (10-9)
Week 19 Opponent: at Colorado (10-5)
Previous Ranking: 7th
That’s three straight wins for Las Vegas, their longest streak of the season, and it keeps the Desert Dogs firmly in the playoff conversation. After back-to-back victories over Rochester, they held off a late push from Calgary, with Jonathan Donville delivering the game-winner. Those results have been important, especially against teams nearby in the standings, helping Las Vegas take care of key opportunities. One clear takeaway: Alexis Buque continues to show he can handle a full workload in goal, and his steady play has been a factor during this run.
With four games remaining, the Desert Dogs face Colorado and Philadelphia before closing with a home-and-home against San Diego. With the Seals also in the mix, that final weekend could play a major role in shaping the playoff picture.
6) Georgia Swarm (10-5)
Georgia Swarm at Ottawa Black Bears 03.28.26
Week 18 Result: Beat Ottawa 12-7
Week 19 Opponent: Bye Week
Previous Ranking: 6th
The Swarm may not be the flashiest team in the league, but they’ve built success through consistency and balance. Veterans like Lyle Thompson and Shayne Jackson continue to lead the way offensively, while captain Jordan MacIntosh has done a bit of everything, anchoring the team on both ends of the floor.
Georgia picked up another solid win over Ottawa in Week 18 and now has a favorable path ahead, with a bye week followed by matchups against San Diego and a home-and-home series with Rochester. A postseason berth appears well within reach, but as always, the challenge will be carrying that steady play into a highly competitive playoff field.
5) Colorado Mammoth (10-5)
Buffalo Bandits against the Colorado Mammoth on March 13, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
Week 18 Result: Idle
Week 19 Opponent: vs Las Vegas (7-7)
Previous Ranking: 5th
After a bye week, the Mammoth return to Ball Arena for the final time in the regular season as they host the streaking Desert Dogs. With Colorado’s recent record – two wins in their last five games – showing that they’ve slowed down a bit from their early-season success, this could be quite the matchup. Colorado is looking to sew up home floor in as many rounds as possible, but they’ll have to match the swagger that Las Vegas is currently playing with. That shouldn’t be a tall order for Andrew Kew, Jack Hannah and Will Malcom. Look for highlight reel goals at both ends of the floor in this one.
4) Toronto Rock (9-6)
March 29, 2026: Owen Hiltz [77] of the Toronto Rock during Toronto Rock vs Philadelphia Wings at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
Week 18 Result: Lost to Philadelphia 12-9
Week 19 Opponent: vs San Diego (6-8)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
The Rock dropped a game Sunday afternoon to a Philadelphia Wings squad that played with urgency and confidence, embracing a nothing-to-lose mindset. Philadelphia’s energy and execution created challenges for Toronto, which head coach Matt Sawyer noted wasn’t at its best across the board. There were still bright spots for the Rock. Owen Hiltz and Josh Dawick each recorded hat tricks, and the team had its moments, but the Wings capitalized on key opportunities and stayed consistent throughout. It was a reminder of the parity in the league, where any team can be dangerous on a given night.
With three important matchups remaining against San Diego, Ottawa, and Saskatchewan, the Rock still have everything in front of them as they continue their push toward the postseason.
3) Saskatchewan Rush (11-5)
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Buffalo Bandits at Sask Tel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, March 28, 2026
Week 18 Result: Beat Saskatchewan 13-9
Week 19 Opponent: at Philadelphia (3-11)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The Rush have had a hard time closing out tight games, and that trend continued in Week 18 with another one-goal loss, this time to the Bandits. Saskatchewan was held to just two goals in the second half, which proved to be the difference. It wasn’t for lack of effort. The Rush fired 51 shots at Matt Vinc and even executed a successful “stick check” on Paul Dawson with 25 seconds remaining, earning a late power-play chance, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
It’s been a challenging stretch for Saskatchewan. With four losses in their last five games, the Rush have slipped out of first place in the league standings, now sitting behind Vancouver.
2) Buffalo Bandits (9-6)
Saskatchewan, Canada – March 28th, 2026: Buffalo Bandits vs Saskatchewan Rush at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada (Photo by Jeff Crawford/National Lacrosse League)
Week 18 Result: Beat Saskatchewan 8-7
Week 19 Opponent: vs Vancouver (11-4)
Previous Ranking: 4th
The Bandits had another slow start and another late-game turnaround, resulting in their fifth consecutive win and their reinstatement as the NLL’s hottest team. Down 5-3 at halftime, Matt Vinc shut the door in the second half, allowing only two fourth-quarter goals to Saskatchewan, while Buffalo scored the final four of the game. Josh Byrne tied it with 2:41 to play and Joe Resetarits scored the winner off a backhand pass from Dhane Smith with 46 seconds left. Matt Vinc made 44 saves (including 16 in the final frame), and the defence blocked a massive 11 shots (including five from Cam Wyers alone). It was a solid comeback from a strong, veteran team.
1) Vancouver Warriors (11-4)
Ottawa Black Bears at Vancouver Warriors @ Rogers Arena
Week 18 Result: Idle
Week 19 Opponent: at Buffalo (9-6)
Previous Ranking: 1st
The Warriors got to relax in Week 18 after securing a playoff spot. Week 19 will be a vastly different story as they face a clash of Titans and a possible NLL Finals preview. Vancouver flies to Buffalo to visit a powerful Bandits team, a team much improved and more confident than when Vancouver beat them 11-9 back in February. Keegan Bal, Curtis Dickson and Jesse King can score at will, but so can the Bandits. This one will come down to defence and goaltending, and while Christian Del Bianco currently has the better numbers, Matt Vinc just played his best game of the season. If you’re going to watch one game this weekend, it should be this one.
