NLL Playoff scenarios

  • By Aaron Lommers Herald Writer
  • Thursday, April 18, 2013 12:17am
  • SportsSports

The National Lacrosse League’s regular season concludes this weekend with a full slate of games and there is still a lot on the line for all nine teams in the league.

The Washington Stealth have clinched a playoff berth and can clinch a home playoff game with a victory over Philadelphia in the final game of the season. The Stealth can still clinch a home playoff game in they lose, but they will need help to do so.

Here are all the playoff scenarios for the final week of the regular season as provided by the league:

West Division

Edmonton (9-6) has clinched a playoff berth and can clinch the NLL regular season title with a win over Calgary. The Rush will clinch a first-round home playoff game with a Washington loss to Philadelphia.

Calgary (8-7) has clinched a playoff berth and can clinch the West Division regular season title with a win over Edmonton. The Roughnecks will clinch a first-round home playoff game with a Minnesota win over Colorado AND a Washington loss to Philadelphia.

Washington (8-7) has clinched a playoff berth and can clinch a first-round home playoff game with a win over Philadelphia OR with a Minnesota loss to Colorado AND a Calgary loss to Edmonton.

Minnesota (7-8) has clinched a playoff berth.

Colorado (6-9) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Minnesota. The Mammoth will clinch a playoff berth with a Buffalo loss to Rochester. Colorado will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Minnesota AND a Buffalo win over Rochester.

Should the three teams finish 9-7 in the West Division, the head-to-head tiebreaker is applied to determine order of finish. Calgary would have a combined 4-3 record, followed by Washington (3-3) and Edmonton (3-4).

Should Calgary, Washington and Minnesota finish tied for second place in the West Division at 8-8, the head-to-head tiebreaker is applied to determine order of finish. Calgary would have a combined 3-2 record, followed by Washington (3-3) and Minnesota (2-3).

East Division

Toronto (10-6) has clinched a playoff berth and the East Division regular season title. The Rock will clinch the NLL regular season title with an Edmonton loss to Calgary. Toronto will host a first-round home playoff game at Air Canada Centre on Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m. ET.

Philadelphia (7-8) has clinched a playoff berth and can clinch a first-round home playoff game with a win over Washington AND a Rochester loss to Buffalo.

Rochester (7-8) can clinch a playoff berth and a first-round home playoff game with a win over Buffalo. The Knighthawks will clinch a playoff berth with a Colorado loss to Minnesota. Rochester will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Buffalo AND a Colorado win over Minnesota.

Buffalo (6-9) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Rochester. The Bandits can clinch a first-round home playoff game with a win over Rochester AND a Philadelphia loss to Washington. Buffalo will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Rochester.

Should the three teams finish 7-9 in the East Division, the head-to-head tiebreaker is applied to determine order of finish. Buffalo would have a combined 4-3 record, followed by Philadelphia (3-3) and Rochester (3-4).

Playoffs Outline

Eight teams will advance to the 2013 Playoffs, which start on the weekend of April 26-28. The crossover rule allows the 5th place team in the West Division to take the place of the 4th place team in the East Division if the 5th place team has a better record.

In the event that the 5th place West team and 4th place East team finish the regular season with identical records, the tiebreakers used for overall seeding will be applied to break to tie and determine which team claims the final playoff berth.

Each division champion faces the fourth place finisher from their division (or the crossover team should that team qualify for the playoffs). The second place finisher in each division faces the third place finisher from their division in the Division Semifinals. Each game is hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winners advance with the higher-seeded teams hosting the Divisional Finals. The winners of the Division Finals meet in the 2013 NLL Championship Game, hosted by the team with the higher overall seeding.

Playoffs Calendar

April 20: Final day of regular season

Weekend of April 26-28: Divisional Semifinals

Weekend of May 3-5: Divisional Finals

Weekend of May 10-12: 2013 NLL Championship Game, presented by Reebok

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.