After a busy week in the National Lacrosse League, we’re back with another round of power rankings. There was minimal movement again this week, but the contenders and pretenders are starting to become apparent. Let’s dive into my power ratings ahead of NLL Week 11.
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 (6-0)
Power Rating: 0.1669
Current Win Total Projection: 12.85
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +34.5
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 1st
Last Week’s Ranking: 1st
2. Toronto Rock (3-5)
Power Rating: 0.1339
Current Win Total Projection: 8.61
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +27.7
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 9th
Last Week’s Ranking: 2nd
3. Saskatchewan Rush (6-2)
Power Rating: 0.1101
Current Win Total Projection: 11.41
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +22.8
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 2nd
Last Week’s Ranking: 3rd
4. Colorado Mammoth (5-4)
Power Rating: 0.0477
Current Win Total Projection: 9.89
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +9.9
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 4th
Last Week’s Ranking: 7th
5. Vancouver Warriors (4-4)
Power Rating: 0.0354
Current Win Total Projection: 9.1
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +7.4
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 6th
Last Week’s Ranking: 4th
The top three teams stay the same with the Buffalo Bandits in the top spot followed by Toronto and Saskatchewan. To me, these are the three best teams right now. Buffalo’s unbeaten streak continues, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes to an end against one of their next three opponents. Only Toronto has come close to beating Buffalo this season and they’ll have Tom Schreiber and TD Ierlan active when for their rematch with the Bandits. Buffalo then faces San Diego, which has underperformed recently but still has the roster to hang with the Bandits. Then Buffalo will face a Saskatchewan team that nearly beat them last year and has the pieces to give Buffalo another great game again. A loss or two likely won’t drop Buffalo out of the top spot in my rankings, but I do think the Bandits are heading into their toughest stretch of the season.
Meanwhile, Colorado moves back up to fourth for the first time in a few weeks following their overtime loss to the Rock. The Mammoth hasn’t been as consistent as the aforementioned other three teams, but when they’re at their best, they can hang with the best.
I didn’t move Vancouver down as far as people might have expected following their 9-10 loss to Halifax. The Thunderbirds executed a perfect game plan for beating the Warriors, attacking in transition and unsettled situations, and Warren Hill also played a complete game for the first time this season. The Warriors also lost Matt Beers and Owen Grant mid-way through the game as well. It wasn’t a fluke win by Halifax, but I do think Vancouver is still one of the better teams in the league who had a couple of weaknesses exposed last week, despite still only losing by a goal. While Beers being potentially out for a while is a big loss, I still think Vancouver is a playoff team that could make some noise in the postseason.
