NLL Conference Final Previews

By Tom Hoffman

Down to four teams remaining in the hunt for the National Lacrosse League's Champions Cup, on Saturday night we'll find out who will be meeting in the league's title game next weekend. Here's alook at Saturday's games. Both can be seen free on NLL.com.

Eastern Conference Final

Buffalo Bandits (11-6) at New York Titans (11-6), 7:30 PM at Prudential Center

Regular Season: NY won the season series 2-0.

Playoff History: The teams met at HSBC Arena in last season's East Final, won by Buffalo 19-12.

How they got here: Buffalo avenged a season-ending loss when they defeated the Boston Blazers 11-8 in Buffalo last Saturday. Mark Steenhuis scored four times for the Bandits while Ken Montour made 47 saves. New York scored three times in the final 7:39 of regulation before winning in overtime 11-10 over the Rochester Knighthawks last Friday at Madison Square Garden. Casey Powell scored the game's final three goals and had four total with four assists to pace the Titans.

X-Factors: Both teams have explosive offenses in front of solid goaltenders (Buffalo's Ken Montour, New York's Matt Vinc). Which offense will have the better success? John Tavares had 12 points in last season's East Final, can the NY defense keep him in check?

Western Conference Final

San Jose Stealth (8-9) at Calgary Roughnecks (13-4), 9 PM at Pengrowth Saddledome

Regular Season: Calgary won both meetings in 2009.

Playoff History: Calgary won the only postseason meeting, 15-14 in the 2004 Division Semi-Finals.

How they got here: San Jose won on the road 20-16 against the Portland Lumberjax last Friday night. Colin Doyle led the Stealth with nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) as Tyler Richards won his playoff debut in net. Calgary dominated the Colorado Mammoth 15-8 last Sunday in Calgary. Matt King made 40 saves for the Roughnecks while Dane Dobbie added seven points on three goals and four assists.

X-Factors: San Jose only won twice on the road during the season but knocked out the home Lumberjax. Can Calgary take advantage of the home support and host next week's Championship game? Which former Toronto Rock star will shine brightest, San Jose's Colin Doyle or Calgary's Josh Sanderson?