2011 NLL Divisional Semi-Finals Preview

By Tom Hoffman

With the 2011 regular season complete, the National Lacrosse League's postseason gets underway this weekend with three games on Saturday and one on Sunday. All games can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com. Here is a brief look at each of the opening round games.

Boston Blazers (10-6) at Buffalo Bandits (10-6)
Saturday, April 30 7:30PM at HSBC Arena

Regular Season: Buffalo won the season series 2-1.

Playoff History: Buffalo won the lone meeting in 2009 11-8.

Team Leaders

Boston: Goals - Casey Powell (34), Assists - Dan Dawson (59), Points - Dawson(90), GAA - Anthony Cosmo(9.66).

Buffalo: Goals - John Tavares (32), Assists - Tavares (46), Points - Tavares (78), GAA - MIke Thompson (9.67).

X-Factors: Buffalo dropped their last two games overall and last three at home while Boston won their final two games, one a 16-9 decision at Buffalo on April 16, after losing five straight. Will the real Bandits and Blazers please stand up?

Colorado Mammoth (5-11) at Calgary Roughnecks (11-5)
Saturday, April 30 8:30 PM at Scotiabank Saddledome

Regular Season: Colorado won the season series 2-1.

Playoff History: This will be the fifth meeting, Calgary has won three of the four previous meetings. The last matchup went to Calgary 15-8 in 2009.

Team Leaders

Colorado: Goals - John Grant (36), Assists - Grant (47), Points - Grant (83), GAA - Chris Levis (9.99).

Calgary: Goals - Dane Dobbie (34), Assists - Jeff Shattler (46), Points - Dobbie and Shattler (75), GAA - Mike Poulin (11.03).

X-Factors: Colorado went 4-3 after reacquiring Gavin Prout from the Edmonton Rush on March 15. Colorado is 5-0 when allowing less than 10 goals, 0-11 when allowing 10 or more. Will this be Calgary's last ever home game, or last ever game? Will all the talk of folding/relocating affect the Roughnecks?

Washington Stealth (8-8) at Minnesota Swarm (8-8)
Saturday, April 30 8:30 PM at Xcel Energy Center

Regular Season: Minnesota won the season series 2-1.

Playoff History: Washington won the only meeting last season 14-10.

Team Leaders

Washington: Goals - Rhys Duch (42), Assists - Lewis Ratcliff (51), Points - Ratcliff (92), GAA - Tyler Richards (11.61).

Minnesota: Goals - Ryan Benesch (46), Assists - Benesch (49), Points - Benesch (95), GAA - Nick Patterson (11.08).

X-Factors: Could be the highest scoring of the four opening round games, two high scoring offenses and two suspect defenses. The defending champion Stealth played better away from Comcast Arena though the Swarm won their last three home games.

Rochester Knighthawks (10-6) at Toronto Rock (10-6)
Sunday, May 1 3:30 PM at Air Canada Centre

Regular Season: Toronto won the season series 3-0.

Playoff History: This will be the seventh postseason match between the teams. Toronto holds a 4-2 edge though Rochester has won the last two meetings (2006 and 2007).

Team Leaders

Rochester: Goals - Cody Jamieson (28), Assists - Shawn Williams (53), Points - Williams (76), GAA - Matt Vinc (9.77)

Toronto: Goals - Stephan LeBlanc (33), Assists - Blaine MAnning (52), Points - LeBlanc (76), GAA - Bob Watson (10.09)

X-Factors: Rochester may have been the NLL's hottest team down the stretch winning their last three games and going 6-2 after a weekend sweep by the Rock. Toronto dropped their last three with two of the losses coming to the NLL's playoff outsiders (Philadelphia and Edmonton). Toronto was a league best 7-1 at home while Rochester tied with Buffalo having a 6-2 road record.

Picks to win: Buffalo, Rochester, Washington and Colorado.