Returning Players Could Shape PLL Championship Race

The 2026 Premier Lacrosse League playoffs begin with rubber matches as the Denver Outlaws take on the California Redwoods and the Boston Cannons face the Maryland Whipsnakes on Saturday in Minneapolis. 

Each team has beaten its opponent once earlier this season and has the chance to advance to the semifinals. The victor of the Eastern Conference matchup will face the top-seeded Philadelphia Waterdogs, while the winner of the Western Conference matchup will face the Utah Archers in Salt Lake City the following weekend.

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS VS. DENVER OUTLAWS

Saturday 6 p.m. EST | Watch: ESPN+ | Betting Lines: Outlaws -1.5 vs. Redwoods, O/U 24.5

Key Storylines: The Redwoods and Outlaws will meet again just two weeks after facing each other in the final game of the regular season. When they last faced each other, California won easily by a score of 18-11, but this matchup will feature a handful of Denver players who weren’t present for the last meeting.

Both Pat Kavanagh and Jared Bernhardt were activated from the injured reserve earlier this week. Inside Lacrosse’s Kevin Brown also reported that all three starting defenders (Ben Randall, JT Giles-Harris and Mike Manley) will be on the active roster again after sitting out the last game to rehab lingering injuries.

While Logan McNaney and Owen McElroy split time in their last game, Denver coach Tim Soudan made it clear that McNaney, who's been battling undisclosed medical issues for a couple of months, is their starter going forward. Unless McNaney has a health setback, it’s safe to expect him to start on Saturday.

California has played both of their goalies in their past two games as well, but the move doesn’t appear to be motivated by poor play from starter Dillon Ward. Ward drew a penalty in their game against Boston and California coach Anthony Kelly opted to keep backup Ryan Croddick in cage after the penalty was released. In their last game, it appeared that the plan was just to have both goalies split time in what was a largely inconsequential game.

I’d expect Ward, who’s played in countless big games as a pro, to still get the start, but it’s something to at least monitor with Croddick playing well in recent weeks.

In terms of the matchup between teams, the game will likely be won or lost in transition. Denver has been excellent at generating and scoring on fast break opportunities, while California has been one of the better 32-second shot clock offenses. The team that wins the battle between the lines will likely win the game.

Players to Watch: All eyes will once again be on the Kavanagh brothers, who will play against each other for the fourth time as pros. Pat has 13 points in those three previous games and Chris is close behind with 10. Denver has won the last two matchups when both Kavanaghs have suited up, but California is healthier heading into the latest showdown.

Matchups to Watch: The battle between Denver’s Brennan O’Neill and California’s Chris Fake will be fascinating to watch once again. Last year, O’Neill got the best of Fake, registering 14 points through three games, including a six-point outing in last year’s playoff matchup. However, Fake has held O’Neill to no goals and just three assists in two games this year.

Will Kavanagh and Bernhardt being back in the lineup free up O’Neill or will Fake hold him goal-less for the third time this season?

On the other end, Mike Manley will likely guard Ryder Garnsey in a battle that Manley has often won. Garnsey had five points in an efficient outing against the Outlaws’ backups two weeks ago, but has been held to two points or fewer in five straight matchups with the Outlaws when Manley suits up. Will Manley stifle Garnsey again or will Garnsey have success against a less-than-100 percent Manley?

Bold Prediction: The Outlaws take down the Redwoods in the playoffs for the second-straight season thanks to a strong defensive effort by Logan McNaney and the Denver defense.

Best Bets: Denver Outlaws ML (-118 on BetRivers), Ryder Garnsey Under 2.5 Points (+115 on BetMGM), Ryder Garnsey Under 1.5 Goals (-105 on BetMGM)

BOSTON CANNONS VS. MARYLAND WHIPSNAKES

Saturday 8:30 p.m. EST | Watch: ESPN+ | Betting Lines: Cannons -1.5 vs. Whipsnakes, O/U 24.5

Key Storylines: The Cannons and Whipsnakes meet just a few weeks after one of the most thrilling finishes in PLL history. In that game, the Cannons erased a two-goal deficit in the final minute and stole the win from the Whipsnakes in overtime. Boston enters this rematch on a three-game win streak, while Maryland is coming off a four-game losing streak to end the season.

A key storyline entering this game involves Boston midfielder Matt Campbell, who was activated from the PUP list earlier this week after missing most of the season. It’s been reported that he’ll replace midfielder Mic Kelly in the 19-man lineup. Keep in mind that Kelly was the one who scored the final two goals of regulation to force overtime when these teams last faced. Campbell gives Boston another dynamic dodger and two-point threat, but how quickly Campbell gets up to speed after a long layoff will be something to monitor.

Players to Watch: Marcus Holman continues to defy Father Time, leading Boston in points (41) and goals (28) at 35 years old. Holman has had plenty of playoff heroics during his lengthy career, but only has four points in three playoff games as a member of the Cannons. When these teams last faced each other, he had five points, including the game-winning two-pointer in overtime.

Holman is also just seven goals away from breaking his former Ohio Machine teammate John Grant Jr.’s all-time goals record. A deep run by Boston this postseason could give him the record and potentially another professional championship.

Another player chasing an additional title is Maryland’s Rob Pannell, who became the all-time points leader in professional field lacrosse earlier this season. Pannell’s last playoff game against the Boston Cannons was in the 2015 semifinals and featured arguably the most thrilling finish in professional field lacrosse history. During a clear attempt in overtime, Boston long-stick midfielder Scott Ratliff connected with goaltender Adam Ghitelman in transition and Ghitelman attempted to win the game with a shot on the doorstep. However, New York Lizards goalie Drew Adams made the save and turned it into a fast break attempt going the other way. Matt Gibson would score the empty-net goal, sending the Lizards to the title game.

Pannell had four points in the semifinal win, and the Lizards went on to win the 2015 MLL championship — Pannell’s first and only pro title. Will we see another thrilling finish as Pannell continues his quest for his first PLL championship?

All eyes will also be on Maryland goalie Emmet Carroll, whose strong 15-save outing against the Cannons last time was overshadowed by the final play of the game. On the final play of the game, Carroll corralled a ground ball after making a save, but an interference call on Jack Pilling gave Boston the ball back. While Carroll was jogging back to the net, Holman took advantage of the quick restart and fired a shot on the empty net to win the game for the Cannons in overtime.

With the number of shots the Cannons tend to take, Carroll will likely have plenty of chances to bounce back and make stops for the Whipsnakes. Maryland coach Jim Stagnitta has discussed Carroll’s ability to remain even-keeled during games, so it will be fascinating to see how the second-year starter responds in the rematch on Saturday.

Matchups to Watch: Rookie Nathan Kapp went 56.5 percent in his PLL debut against the Waterdogs, but will face his toughest task in just his second pro game. Fellow rookie Andrew McMeekin currently leads the league in faceoff percentage at 62.5 percent and his ability to generate scoring chances has been a large part of the Cannons’ recent success.

If Kapp can win close to 50 percent or at least prevent McMeekin from winning it forward, he can take away a key element from this Boston offense. That’s easier said than done against the potential rookie of the year. Whether McMeekin dominates again could be the deciding factor in what should be another tight matchup.

The matchup between Boston’s Brian Kelly and Maryland’s Ajax Zappitello is another fascinating one. Kelly is one of just two players to have at least 30 points, 20 goals, and shoot 40 percent on 300 touches, with the other being MVP favorite CJ Kirst. He’s also notched 5 goals and seven points in two games against Maryland this season. Not all of Kelly’s goals against Maryland came when guarded by Ajax in a one-on-one situation, but the production is definitely notable. Will Zappitello bounce back and keep one of the Cannons’ most reliable goal scorers in check, or will Kelly have another big day for Boston?

Bold Prediction: We get another close game between Boston and Maryland, with the game-winning goal being scored in the final minute of regulation this time.

Best Bet: Emmet Carroll Over 11.5 Saves (-130 on FanDuel)