PLL Energy Rankings coming into Week 11: The ultimate weekend

Welcome to the ultimate weekend of the common season. All eight groups are mathematically alive for the postseason. Three groups — New York, Denver and Carolina — have locked up playoff bids, whereas Utah and Maryland reside on the sting.

Week 11 is elimination lacrosse, making it must-see TV.

In terms of the ability rankings, Denver and New York have established themselves as the category of the league. Each groups have clinched divisional titles. Who’s the third finest workforce within the PLL? And who’s going to qualify for the six-team bracket?

We’ll get these solutions in Boston.

1. Denver Outlaws

Present file: 7-3
Earlier rating: 1

Denver break up dwelling video games this previous weekend, dropping to Carolina on Friday and defeating New York on Saturday. The transition offense off clear saves from rookie goalie Logan McNaney stays a staple and a separator. Lengthy-pole defender Jake Piseno nailed the vital two-pointer within the victory over the Atlas.

The Tewaaraton Award quartet continues to ship, as Jared Bernhardt discovered web towards the Atlas. Brennan O’Neill leads the PLL in objectives, with 23. Pat Kavanagh has probably the most touches. The additions of Bernhardt from the CFL and rookie goalie Logan McNaney have pushed this squad to the highest.

The Outlaws are the workforce to beat after turning an 0-2 begin into a primary place end. They’ve a bye this week, and do not play once more till the PLL semifinals on September 1 at Subaru Park in Philadelphia.

This week: Bye week

2. New York Atlas

Present file: 6-3
Earlier rating: 2

The Atlas at the moment are 0-5 all-time in additional time after dropping an instantaneous traditional to Denver on Saturday in entrance of a sellout crowd within the Mile Excessive Metropolis. Connor Shellenberger is taking part in like an MVP, main the league in factors, with 39, whereas taking pictures 48%. However the offensive menu is as sturdy as a Lengthy Island diner’s.

My two query marks for a title run can be:

• Is New York in nice bodily form to complete off a 48-minute recreation or longer? Twice this season they’ve proven fatigue in fourth quarter losses.

• The Atlas are closely reliant on goalie Liam Entenmann to make 15-20 saves per recreation. Is that an excessive amount of strain on the All-Star netminder?

After closing out the common season towards Philly, they’re going to subsequent play within the semifinals.

This week: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+) vs. Waterdogs

3. Boston Cannons

Present file: 4-4
Earlier rating: 4

The Cannons put an finish to their dropping streak by caring for Philadelphia 13-10 in Denver. The sport was chippy, because the Cannons dwell on the sting with physicality and post-whistle antics.

Asher Nolting performed his finest recreation of the summer season and midfielder Matt Campbell leads the league in factors from the midfield and in addition in hockey (second) assists. Coulter Mackesy, the lefty rookie playmaker from Princeton was excellent on Friday.

The Cannons play California on Friday and Maryland on Saturday at Harvard. Is Boston the third finest workforce within the league — and a championship contender — if they’ll get scorching?

This week: Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+) vs. Redwoods; Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) vs. Whipsnakes

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Cannons finish dropping streak with win over Waterdogs

The Cannons finish their prolonged skid with a victory towards the Waterdogs.

4. Carolina Chaos

Present file: 5-4
Earlier rating: 3

Carolina surprised Denver on Friday night time 12-11 after erasing a six-goal deficit, and clinched a playoff berth within the course of. The transformation from a backside feeder to playoff contender has been eye-opening.

Rookie attackman Owen Hiltz leads the league with 4.3 factors per recreation. Goalie Blaze Riorden is the highest stopper at clutch time. Lengthy-pole Troy Reh is a candidate for All-Professional recognition. Ace defender Jack Rowlett received damage within the win over Denver, and did not play within the second half. Rookie Scott Smith stepped into his function efficiently, however that is one thing to observe this week and past.

This week: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+) vs. Archers

5. Philadelphia Waterdogs

Present file: 4-5
Earlier rating: 5

Philly by no means threatened Boston in a 13-10 loss final weekend, trailing 5-2 after which 10-4 at half. The intense spot was rookie CJ Kirst, who was lastly performed at his pure assault place and delivered 5 objectives and one help. The mixture of Michael Sowers and Kirst provides Philly followers hope. Sowers is the league’s finest passer, with 22 assists this season.

Goaltending and midfield manufacturing have been missing currently, and Philadelphia is trending within the unsuitable path. The Waterdogs tangle with New York this weekend, with a playoff spot on the road.

This week: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+) vs. Atlas

6. California Redwoods

Present file: 4-5
Earlier rating: 7

The Woods pitched a shutout within the fourth quarter in a comeback 14-13 win towards Maryland. Dylan Molloy scored 5 occasions, and rookie Chris Kavanagh had seven factors. Trailing 13-10, California protection and goalie Chayse Ierlan shut out Maryland within the closing quarter. That is two wins in a row for the younger roster.

Faceoff specialist TD Ierlan went 72% towards the Whips. Ierlan leads the league in profitable proportion, and is the one FOGO north of 60%.

This week: Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+) vs. Cannons

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Redwoods proceed playoff push with tight win over Whipsnakes

Dylan Molloy scores the game-winning aim because the Redwoods defeat the Whipsnakes 14-13.

7. Maryland Whipsnakes

Present file: 3-6
Earlier rating: 6

The Whips could not discover the end line towards California, and gave away a winnable recreation which significantly damages their postseason aspirations. They had been outscored 4-0 within the fourth quarter, dropping 14-13.

Maryland lands in final place within the east coming into the ultimate weekend. Here is the deal for his or her playoff hopes: the Whips have to win, whereas Philadelphia and Boston cannot win one other recreation. In the event that they end at 4 wins every, the aim differential favors Maryland proper now in tie-breaker situations.

This week: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) vs. Cannons

8. Utah Archers

Present file: 3-6
Earlier rating: 8

The Archers face Carolina in Boston this week, trying to salvage a disappointing summer season. If the playoffs began right now, Utah and Maryland, final years finalists, can be ignored of the six-team bracket.

This has been a dreadful summer season for Utah, winners of back-to-back league titles in 2023 and 2024. Offensive firepower has been bought individually. Utah’s faceoff proportion is the league’s worst, and so they generate no transitional alternatives off opponent turnovers.

On the plus aspect, Goalie Brett Dobson and defender Graeme Hossack have been rock-solid.

With the intention to make the playoffs, the Archers have to win towards Carolina, whereas California should lose — whereas additionally swinging the aim differential by 9 of their favor. It is a main lengthy shot, however not not possible.

This week: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+) vs. Chaos