EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWith just three weeks left in the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League season, the five-game slate in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend will be critical to shaping the playoff bracket.All eight teams are in action, with the Redwoods and Chaos playing two games apiece.Read on for details on each game including how to watch, storylines and key stats courtesy of the PLL.As a reminder, fans can catch all the action in the ESPN App and in the PLL streaming hub.PLL home | StandingsCalifornia Redwoods (4-4) vs. Carolina Chaos (4-5)Friday, 6 p.m. ETGame previewInjury report:Redwoods: A Wes Berg out (PUP list), LSM Arden Cohen out (PUP list)Chaos: D Jack Rowlett IR (neck/left shoulder), M Eric Spanos out (right hand), FO Justin Inacio out (right knee), M JJ Sillstrop IR (right knee), M Charlie Bertrand IR (ACL)RedwoodsCalifornia can clinch a playoff berth with two wins and the Waterdogs defeating the Chaos on Saturday.As Dylan Molloy goes, so go the Redwoods. In California's four wins, Molloy has 4.25 points per game on 34.3% shooting; in the club's four losses, he has 1.0 points per game on 9.1% shooting.ChaosCarolina can clinch a postseason spot by winning both games, as well as a Maryland win over Denver and a New York win over California.From undrafted to a critical player for the Chaos, Teddy Malone's story continues to be written, including scoring the winning OT goal against Boston in Week 10.Boston Cannons (4-5) vs. Utah Archers (6-4)Friday, 8:30 p.m. ETGame previewInjury report:Cannons: M Ryan Drenner out (PUP list), SSDM Marquez White IR (ACL), M Matt Campbell out (PUP list)Archers: M Grant Ament out (PUP list), M Tom Schreiber IR (right knee), D Will Schaller out (PUP list), A Gannon Matthews out (PUP list), A Matt Moore IR (right hip)CannonsMarcus Holman remains second on the PLL's all-time goals leaderboard with 380. He continues to chase down John Grant Jr., who finished his career with 393 tallies.Andrew McMeekin went undrafted this season -- and might well finish the season as the PLL's faceoff percentage leader. His 61.3% mark is tops in the league and would also set a Cannons franchise record if it holds.ArchersUtah can clinch a playoff spot with a win or two losses by Carolina. The Archers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the West with all of these taking place: a win, a Denver loss, two California losses and Philadelphia beating Carolina.Brett Dobson continues a strong push for not only the Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year award but also for league MVP. His 60.5% save percentage would be the fourth instance in PLL regular season history of a goalie finishing over 60%, but he currently has the highest SAA in PLL history (min. 100 shots against) at 9.3.Denver Outlaws (4-5) vs. Maryland Whipsnakes (5-4)Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ETGame previewInjury report:Outlaws: A Brennan O'Neill questionable (right knee), A Pat Kavanagh out (right thigh), M Jared Bernhardt out (right/left hamstring), D JT Giles-Harris questionable (left hamstring/foot)Whipsnakes: M Matt Brandau out (right knee), FO Petey LaSalla out (left ankle), M Aidan Carroll questionable (left calf), FO Joseph Nardella out (PUP list), G Shun Ito out (unavailable to travel), FO Matthew Paolatto out (PUP list), SSDM Payton Rezanka out (PUP list), LSM Colin Squires out (PUP list)OutlawsIs time running out for the 2025 runners-up? The Outlaws need to start stringing wins together, particularly after a lackluster performance in an 18-8 loss to Philly in Week 10.Denver is banged up heading into this one. Brennan O'Neill missed Week 10 with a knee injury, and Jared Bernhardt left the Week 10 loss with a hamstring issue.WhipsnakesMaryland clinches a postseason berth with a win and a loss by the Atlas.Rob Pannell recently became the PLL's all-time points leader, but he put up a goose egg in the last matchup between these two teams, a 13-7 Outlaws win. Will this matchup be different?Carolina Chaos (4-5) vs. Philadelphia Waterdogs (6-3)Saturday, 3 p.m. ETGame previewInjury report:Chaos: D Jack Rowlett IR (neck/left shoulder), M Eric Spanos out (right hand), FO Justin Inacio out (right knee), M JJ Sillstrop IR (right knee), M Charlie Bertrand IR (ACL)Waterdogs: G Matt DeLuca IR (left hip), SSDM Dylan Hess IR (right knee)ChaosRookie Chad Palumbo's PLL career is off to an excellent start. He leads the Chaos with 18 points and 13 one-point goals.Goalie Blaze Riorden continues to be the heart and soul of the Chaos -- and a big reason they're right in the thick of the playoff hunt. In Week 10, he had 20 saves, which was the 10th time he has done that in his career. No one else has more than three.WaterdogsPhilly clinches a playoff spot with a win or a loss by the Atlas.CJ Kirst is on a heater. He is one goal shy of tying Marcus Holman's single-season PLL goal record, which should come as no surprise to those who followed him in college: He holds the NCAA career goals record (247), 23 clear of No. 2 on the list, Payton Cormier.According to the PLL, Kirst is averaging 3.38 goals per game in his career; if he keeps that pace, he would break John Grant Jr.'s career record in his 117th game, which is 54 fewer than Grant.New York Atlas (3-6) vs. California Redwoods (4-4)Sunday, 3 p.m. ETGame previewInjury report:Atlas: A Hunter Drouin questionable (left ankle), LSM Michael Grace out (PUP list), A Jeff Teat out (PUP list), LSM Jon Robbins out (PUP list)Redwoods: A Wes Berg out (PUP list), LSM Arden Cohen out (PUP list)AtlasTwo-point goals can be a game changer, and Atlas midfielder Bryan Costabile is closing in on the single-season record for twos. He has six of them heading into this weekend, one behind the all-time record co-held by Romar Dennis (2024) and Mike Chanenchuk (2019).Atlas faceoff man Trevor Baptiste holds the career faceoff percentage record, at 64.2% (min. 250 attempts). In most matchups, that's a clear advantage for the Atlas, but in this game he'll be squaring off against TD Ierlan, who is second on the all-time list (60.0%).RedwoodsCalifornia attackman Chris Kavanagh scored an impressive 21 goals in his rookie season (2.1 goals per game pace); he's ahead of that rate this season, with 14 goals in six games, a 2.5 goals per game average that is second in the league to CJ Kirst (4.1).One area the Redwoods could improve to boost their playoff chances is the power play. They enter the weekend having converted 3 of 15 opportunities, a league-worst 17.6%.
