NLL Power Rankings: Bandits Earn Top Overall Seed in Postseason

Now the real fun begins.

After 22 weeks, the National Lacrosse League regular season has come to an end, with what should be a thrilling postseason yet to come. Halifax locked into the final spot on the final day of the season, as fans were treated to a de facto playoff game Saturday, a reminder of the anxiety and jubilation viewers around the continent will feel starting Friday.

Before getting into the power rankings, a quick look at the first-round schedule:

ROUND 1
ALL TIMES EASTERN

Friday, May 5

Halifax at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+, TSN)
Colorado at San Diego, 10 p.m. (ESPN+, TSN+)

Saturday, May 6

Rochester at Buffalo, 7 p.m. (ESPNU, TSN+)
Panther City at Calgary, 9:30 p.m. (ESPNU, TSN)

1. BUFFALO BANDITS (14-4)

Dhane Smith dished out four helpers to push his total to 96 and break the single-season assist record he set just last year as part of the Bandits’ 16-10 win against Albany. With the triumph, Buffalo secured the top seed in the playoffs. The team can’t get overconfident, however, as it split the season series against first-round foe Rochester. Last week: 1

2. SAN DIEGO SEALS (14-4)

The Seals hope this weekend is a sign of things to come. San Diego secured its franchise-best 14th win of the year with an 11-8 result against Colorado, which it will see again in the first round of the postseason. A five-goal run by Colorado tightened the score after San Diego went up 9-3, but two closing tallies by Patrick Shoemay put the cherry on top of the regular season. Last week: 2

3. TORONTO ROCK (13-5)

The Rock watched from home this weekend, waiting to see how the East shook out. In Halifax, Toronto gets a team it blew out early in the year but lost to down the stretch. Last week: 3

4. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (13-5)

The Riggers also got to kick their feet back in the final week, enjoying the spoils of a season which saw the team set a new franchise record for wins. They’ll host Panther City Saturday two weeks after besting PCLC 13-12 in Fort Worth. Last week: 4

5. PANTHER CITY LACROSSE CLUB (10-8)

Panther City took the needed step after a moral victory of a first season, helped greatly by the acquisition of Callum Crawford and the quick adjustment from first-year star Jonathan Donville. It resulted in the team’s first postseason appearance and first winning campaign. Last week: 5

6. ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS (11-7)

Rochester is also prepping for its postseason debut in this iteration of the franchise, with the first game fittingly coming against old rival Buffalo. After a hot start, the Knighthawks have had some road bumps down the stretch, most recently a 14-11 loss to Philadelphia. The K-Hawks have lost five of the last six. Last week: 7

7. HALIFAX THUNDERBIRDS (10-8)

Chris Boushy had 13 points and the T-Birds closed on a 7-1 run in the fourth quarter for a 17-11 against Georgia, securing the final East playoff position in a winner-take-all matchup. And thanks to Rochester’s defeat, Halifax jumped into the third position. The team was held scoreless in the first 11 minutes but turned things around in time to keep the season alive. Last week: 8

8. COLORADO MAMMOTH (9-9)

The Mammoth head to the second season riding a two-game losing streak after defeats against Saskatchewan and San Diego. As the fourth seed, Colorado will need a bit of magic to recreate last year’s run and claim back-to-back titles. Up first is the Seals, who went 2-1 against the Mammoth during the regular season. Last week: 6

9. GEORGIA SWARM (8-10)

The Swarm made for a heck of a comeback story, rebounding from an 0-7 start to have a shot at the playoffs entering the final week. However, the group fell just short thanks to back-to-back defeats to close the year. Lyle Thompson and Andrew Kew each finished with 106 points, marking Thompson’s fourth season of 100 or more and Kew’s new career best. Last week: 9

10. PHILADELPHIA WINGS (9-9)

The Wings finished 9-9 for the second straight year, but unlike last season, it wasn’t enough for a playoff spot. Joe Resetarits closed with a seven-point performance in a 14-10 win against Rochester, pushing his season total to 110. Last week: 10

11. SASKATCHEWAN RUSH (7-11)

Saskatchewan native and young goaltender Laine Hruska were a fun story in the final two weeks. Hruska was busy helping his hometown squad to a pair of victories, but it remained a disappointing season for the Rush. In what was hoped to be a bounceback year, the franchise missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since moving from Edmonton in 2016. Last week: 11

12. NEW YORK RIPTIDE (5-13)

Despite a largely forgettable season, New York had something to cheer about in its final weekend thanks to Jeff Teat winning the scoring title for the first time in his career. The young phenom notched five goals and five assists in a 16-8 win against New York, pushing his season total to 136. That’s just a point short of the all-time record held by Dhane Smith. Last week: 13

13. LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS (5-13)

The Desert Dogs had success stories this season, including the emergence of Jack Hannah and captain Rob Hellyer having his best season since 2018. But the final record reflects the challenges that come with being an expansion side. There’s hope for the future, as two of Las Vegas’ top five scorers were rookies and a third was second-year player Charlie Bertrand. Last week: 12

14. VANCOUVER WARRIORS (4-14)

The Warriors made major changes this year, parting ways with general manager Dan Richardson and coach Chris Gill while inserting Troy Cordingley into both roles. On the floor, it was more of the same. The franchise hasn’t experienced a winning season since its move to British Columbia in 2014 and has finished with six wins or fewer in five straight seasons. Last week: 14

15. ALBANY FIREWOLVES (3-15)

The FireWolves control the No. 1 pick in the entry draft after sealing a winless season at home with their final defeat against Buffalo. This season marks the worst in franchise history, which dates back to 1987 and the original Philadelphia Wings. Offense will be a clear point of focus in the offseason, as Albany finished last in the league in goals, 12 behind second-to-last Las Vegas. Last week: 15