The difference between the best and worst teams in the National Lacrosse League remains close and, with only four games last week, my power rankings didn’t change too much from last week. Let’s take a look at my power rankings ahead of NLL Week 10 and see who I’m high and low on this week.
Note: Power rankings are NOT standings and each team’s rating is based on a variety of criteria. Each team’s 2023-24 goals for and goals against totals are initially considered with their 2024-25 goals for and goals against weighed more than the previous season’s. Goaltender changes and roster moves are also taken into account with adjustments made based on roster additions/substractions and empty net goals for/against. Projected win totals and final standings also account for each team’s schedule and projected win percentages are adjusted for short-rest situations.
1. Buffalo Bandits (5-0)
Power Rating: 0.1234
Current Win Total Projection: 12.15
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +25.5
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 1st
Last Week’s Ranking: 1st
2. Toronto Rock (2-5)
Power Rating: 0.1101
Current Win Total Projection: 8.07
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +22.7
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 10th
Last Week’s Ranking: 3rd
3. Saskatchewan Rush (5-2)
Power Rating: 0.0922
Current Win Total Projection: 10.94
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +19
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 2nd
Last Week’s Ranking: 2nd
4. Vancouver Warriors (4-3)
Power Rating: 0.0665
Current Win Total Projection: 9.8
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +13.7
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 5th
Last Week’s Ranking: 6th
5. Philadelphia Wings (5-2)
Power Rating: 0.0612
Current Win Total Projection: 10.77
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +12.6
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 3rd
Last Week’s Ranking: 4th
Some minor re-shuffling in the top five as the Toronto Rock and Saskatchewan Rush swap places, Philadelphia drops a spot and Vancouver moves back up. You could make a case for either the Rock or Rush behind Buffalo, but Toronto already has the head-to-head victory and another solid win gives them the slight edge. From a futures perspective, I’d bet either right now if you haven’t already. With odds as long as +1200 for Saskatchewan (BetMGM and ESPN Bet) and +1400 for Toronto (BetRivers), now could be the best time to get a position on either team. My current projections for Toronto have them at around eight wins due to their 0-5 start and tight upcoming matchups, but I have them favored in nearly all of their remaining games and their ceiling is closer to 11 wins. I think the Rock can overcome their early losses and still make the playoffs and Saskatchewan is still undervalued even at 5-2.
The Vancouver Warriors move back into the top five after an 8-4 win over Ottawa that wasn’t even as close as the final score indicated. Vancouver’s defense suffocated the Black Bears and the Warriors offense generated a ton of high-quality scoring chances all game, despite Zach Higgns holding them to just eight points. Had Higgins not played incredibly again, Vancouver could have easily won by more. More on the Black Bears next…
