All 14 National Lacrosse League teams have now played and our rankings received another shakeup thanks to big upsets, blowout losses and recent player news. Let’s take a look at this week’s NLL power rankings ahead of a full seven-game slate.
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 twice as much as 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 (1-0)
Power Rating: 0.2082
Current Win Total Projection: 11.08
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +40.4
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 1st
Last Week’s Ranking: 2nd
The defending champs claim the top spot thanks to a dominant 15-7 win over Rochester and losses by San Diego and Toronto. Buffalo’s 15-goal performance wasn’t too surprising especially with Riley Hutchcraft starting for the Knighthawks. Yet, holding Rochester’s offense to just seven goals implies Buffalo’s defense is much closer to last year’s playoff form than regular season form—and that’s a scary proposition for the rest of the league.
2. Albany FireWolves (1-1)
Power Rating: 0.2061
Current Win Total Projection: 10.71
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +40.0
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 2nd
Last Week’s Ranking: 5th
The Albany FireWolves leap up to our second spot thanks to a dominant win over a banged-up Toronto team. While the Rock certainly weren’t at full strength, Albany’s 15-4 win is still impressive and the FireWolves ability to stifle Toronto’s offense for most of the day was great to see. Hoepfully, you are subscribed to DubClub and followed me in betting Albany to win the title at +1000 late last week. They’re still +900 on BetRivers, but with a fairly easy stretch of games coming up, their odds will likely continue to shorten. Get a position on a top-five team before it’s too late.
3. San Diego Seals (1-1)
Power Rating: 0.1326
Current Win Total Projection: 10.18
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +25.8
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 5th
Last Week’s Ranking: 1st
The San Diego Seals fall from first to third, though Buffalo and ALbany’s big wins are more of the reason than San Diego’s 13-12 overtime loss to Georgia. The Seals are still in good shape and played much better defensively than against Philadelphia in their season opener. That’s a good sign, even despite the close loss.
4. Saskatchewan Rush (1-0)
Power Rating: 0.1135
Current Win Total Projection: 10.47
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: +22.1
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 4th
Last Week’s Ranking: 4th
The Saskatchewan Rush were on a bye this week so they stay at fourth. You can still bet their title odds at +2000 at BetMGM and Bet Rivers and this might be the last time to do so depending on how this weekend plays out.
