2012 NLL First Round Playoff Capsules

By Tom Hoffman

After Friday night's playoff opener between the Philadelphia Wings and Rochester Knighthawks, the remainder of the opening round games in the 2012 National Lacrosse League Playoffs will face off on Saturday night.  Here is a look at each of Saturday's games.

Buffalo Bandits (7-9) at Toronto Rock (9-7)
7PM at Air Canada Centre (NLL Network) 

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

Playoff History: The teams have met three times with Toronto holding a 2-1 edge.  The most recent meeting was in 2011 (Toronto 12-10).  

Team Leaders

Buffalo: Goals - John Tavares (41), Assists - Tavares (39), Points - Tavares (80), GAA - Anthony Cosmo (12.41).

Toronto: Goals - Garrett Billings (32), Assists - Billings (82), Points - Billings (114), GAA - Nick Rose (10.69).

X-Factors: Toronto went 5-1 after releasing G Matt Roik and acquiring Rose from Calgary.  Cosmo struggled in the Bandits net until a 17-7 win over Philadelphia on April 7 led him to wins in three of the last four games.  Toronto was only 3-5 at home this season. 

Minnesota Swarm (9-7) at Colorado Mammoth (11-5)
7:30PM at Pepsi Center (CBS Sports Network)

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

Playoff History: This will be the first postseason match between the teams.

Team Leaders

Minnesota: Goals -  Ryan Benesch (33), Assists - Callum Crawford (58), Points - Crawford (83), GAA - Evan Kirk (9.81).

Colorado: Goals - John Grant Jr. (50), Assists - Grant (66), Points - Grant (116), GAA - Chris Levis (12.26).

X-Factors: Swarm won their last four games of the regular season, will that help them win their first ever playoff game?  First winning season since 2008 yet a two game losing streak cost the Mammoth first place in the West.  Minnesota 3-2 all time at Colorado but lost there on opening night.  Colorado 0-4 in postseason since winning the 2006 NLL Championship.

Edmonton Rush (6-10) at Calgary Roughnecks (12-4)
9PM at Scotiabank Saddledome (NLL Network)

Regular Season: Calgary swept the season series 4-0.

Playoff History:  The teams lone meeting was in 2010, Edmonton winning at Calgary 11-7.

Team Leaders

Edmonton: Goals - Zack Greer (31), Assists - Shawn Williams (52), Points - Williams (68), GAA - Aaron Bold (10.47).

Calgary: Goals - Shawn Evans (32), Assists - Evans (47), Points - Evans (79), GAA - Mike Poulin (10.27).

X-Factors: Which Evans brother (Scott or Shawn) will have the offseason bragging rights?  Edmonton played .500 ball minus their games with Calgary.  Will be a battle of the league's stingiest teams on defense (Calgary 170 GA, Edmonton 175 GA).